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Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy are three shots off the lead after Phil Mickelson found his form at the halfway stage of the Wells Fargo Championship.

Mickelson is two shots clear of the field on nine under after six birdies in a five-under 67 at Quail Hollow.

Westwood shot a four-under-par 68 to join overnight leader Rory McIlroy (71) on six under par.

Australia's Scott Gardiner and American duo Nick Watney and George McNeill are joint second on seven under.

Gardiner, who was the the first Aboriginal to turn pro, had five birdies on the front nine before parring the last nine holes to score 67 for his best round in his first year on the PGA Tour.

Watney stayed in contention with a two-under 70 and McNeill mixed seven birdies with three bogeys in his four-under 68.

Mickelson picked up shots on the first two holes before enjoying back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th on his way to a fine 67, and said he is enjoying the speed of the greens in Charlotte.

"With them being slower, we're able to putt them aggressively," he said. "We're able to take some of the break out without fear of racing it way by, and I've made a concerted effort to leave uphill putts, which has allowed me to putt even more aggressive and play even less break.

"That's made a big difference in my putting."

Westwood, who started on the 10th, looked set to join Gardiner for a share of the lead before he hit two shots into the water at the par-five seventh, sinking a 25-foot putt to escape with a bogey.

It was a tough day for the Englishman, who is battling with a chest infection.

"I won't practise much this afternoon," he admitted afterwards. "I'll go back to the room and lie down."

Northern Ireland's McIlroy, playing in his first event since tying for 25th place at the Masters, began his round by three-putting at the first hole, but managed to finish one under for the day with three birdies in the latter stages.

"I didn't play the par fives very well today, but I think it shows how the rest of my game is, that I'm still right there and able to score," said the world number two.

David Lynn matched compatriot Westwood with a 68 and ended the day four shots behind Mickelson on five under.