Round 2: Waste Management Phoenix Open

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How do fans at the 16th hole know so much about the players? They have some help.

By Fred Albers, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

Big Weekend: It will be interesting to watch how Spencer Levin plays this weekend. It’s the first time he’s held a 36-hole lead on the PGA TOUR. Last week at the Farmers Insurance Open, he began the tournament with a 62 and then played the last three rounds in 5-over par. Was that experience gained or a trend? We’ll find out this weekend.

Cheat Sheet: Spectators have a little help with information on the 16th hole. Everyone is given a cheat sheet with such information as, "Graham DeLaet, caddie had to retrieve ball from tree last week. Played volleyball in high school." The crib notes are four pages long and courtesy of Mike Leonard, who updates player profiles throughout the year saving up information just for this week.

Ben Cranium: Ben Crane told me, "I’m putting fantastic." The stats back up that claim. Crane has had 56 putts in 36 holes, including a 69-foot eagle at the 15th. He also may have a treat for fans on the 16th hole this weekend. In homage to his latest video spoof, "The Gymnast," Crane may wear a safety helmet while playing the 16th, the same as he does in the video.

Phil’s Thrills: Phil Mickelson’s game soared and slumped in accordance with his score on the par 5′s. He made just one birdie on the first four par 5s he played. He started his second round with a par at the third hole on Friday when he turned in 38. Mickelson then birdied both the par 5s on his back nine to salvage a 70. Phil needs to hit some fairways to get into contention. He hit just 3 of 14 fairways on Friday and 10 of 28 for the week. 

Fred Albers is a course reporter for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio and is inside the ropes this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. For more information on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, click here.