Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. ? Phil Mickelson knows only one style of golf create shots, attack pins and live with the consequences.

One week after a questionable shot down the stretch cost him a chance at victory, Mickelson jumped back into contention Friday in The Players Championship with flair, a few flops and a game plan for which he makes no apologies.

“If I change the way I play golf, I won’t enjoy the game as much and I won’t play to the level I have been playing,” Mickelson said after a long day in which he completed a first-round 64 in the morning and was 11 strokes higher in the second round.

Mickelson played 25 holes because of a rain delay Thursday, and he finished at the same number he started 5-under par for a 139 total, leaving him one stroke behind clubhouse leader Carl Paulson when the second round was suspended by darkness.

Paulson had his second straight 69 and was at 138, unknown territory for a 31-year-old who has never won on the PGA Tour.

Craig Perks had a 68 and was at 139. Jeff Sluman also was at 5 under with two holes remaining when he returns today starting with the terrorizing island-green 17th.

A total of 38 players were within five shots of the lead. Tiger Woods was among them. Despite chopping out from thick rough and making bogey on the 18th hole, Woods had a 72 and was at 1-under 143.