The Associated Press

MIAMI - Phil Mickelson already has taken a Ford GT for a spin through his California neighborhood, a short joy ride that resulted in "a letter or two" from homeowners. Now the Ford endorser hopes to take it home for good. And he's in position to do it.

Mickelson shot a 3-under 68 in the second round of the Ford Championship at Doral on Friday, moving him to 8-under 136 and one shot behind leader Retief Goosen (68). Craig Parry (65) and Todd Hamilton (68) also were 8 under.

The $140,000 sports car is the most expensive automobile ever awarded on the PGA Tour. It will be given to the winner Sunday.

"I want that GT, as does everybody, but I want that very badly," Mickelson said. "You will see my right foot pushing that pedal all the way down to the metal, because I am going to be trying to get that GT."

Mickelson would be atop the leaderboard if not for a few missed putts and the par-4 No. 18 - which is playing tougher than any hole on the tour this year.

Mickelson, known as "Lefty," bogeyed the 467-yard hole for the second consecutive day. It has played into a strong wind both days. Tournament officials moved the tees closer and put the pin on the front edge of the green, and the finishing hole yielded just 12 birdies. But that was twice as many as it allowed in the opening round.

The Blue Monster's signature hole was lengthened by 24 yards last year, and the tee boxes were relocated to bring the water more into play. In the second round, there were 47 bogeys, 15 double bogeys and two "others" on the hole that could determine the winner at the first stop on the PGA's Florida swing.

Mickelson found the water off the tee in the opening round. He missed the green with his second shot Friday, then chipped past the pin and two-putted from there.

The difficult 18th helped establish the highest cut on tour this season at 1-over 145. The hole also could prevent Mickelson from winning the GT.

Mickelson probably could get one of the rare GTs through his sponsorship deal, but he said it would feel better to win one this week. It wouldn't be much of a surprise, either. After all, he has played as well as anyone on tour this year.

He has been a threat to win every time he has played. He won the Bob Hope Classic in a playoff, was in the final group in Phoenix, finished third at Pebble Beach, was one shot out of the playoff at Torrey Pines, and advanced to the quarterfinals in the Match Play Championship.

"He's obviously driving the ball a lot better this year," Goosen said. "I think he's cut back a little bit on his length. I think last year he got into a mind-set of distance and just trying to see how far he can hit it."

DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC: Tiger Woods shot a 3-under 69 in the second round and was six strokes behind leader Paul McGinley. McGinley had a 65 and was one stroke ahead of Mark O'Meara (64). About half the field finished the second round before darkness stopped play. The round will be completed today. The first two days were delayed several hours by fog.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: Andy Bean shot a 5-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead over Jim Colbert and Australia's Stewart Ginn after the first round of the MasterCard Classic in Huixquilucan, Mexico.

WOMEN'S AUSTRALIAN: Laura Davies shot a 68 for the second day in a row to take a four-stroke lead after the second round at Sydney. Davies leads Sophie Sandolo, a former fashion model from Italy who shot a 69 to add to her opening 71.