Luck to duel with Mickelson

Curtis Luck recognizes the crowd after a birdie today.

Curtis Luck is in the early stages of his first full season as a member of the American PGA Tour, but his big moment has come quickly

Perth & # 39; s Luck had another great day in California today to throw himself into the Desert Classic. Tomorrow he will duel with Phil Mickelson, five-time winner and legend of the sport.

The 22-year-old Luck is outright second to two rounds after he had supported his opening 64 with a 66 on the Nicklaus track in La Quinta today. He closed with a bird in the ninth hole, his last for the day, to put an exclamation mark on it.

Happiness had two bogeys to go with his eight birdies on the day. He drags Mickelson through only two shots after the left wing has added a 68 to his incredible opening 60 on Thursday.

Former American amateur champion, Luck earned his full playing rights for this season by graduating from the Web.com Tour at the end of last year.

He has won a professional tournament, the 2016 WA Open as an amateur.

In Abu Dhabi, Sam Brazel and Jason Scrivener are the leading Australians in the HSBC Championship of the European Tour in a draw for 34.

Shane Lowry from Ireland continues to dominate that tournament and leads the South African Richard Sterne with three and Ian Poulter from England against five.