LOS ANGELES — Scott McCarron used to look forward to Thursday when he was in college, for that was the day the UCLA golf team was allowed to play at Riviera.

The fabled course intimidated him at first sight — he'd wonder if he could ever break 70 — but that no longer is the case. The first time he played in the final group at Riviera was in 1997, alongside Masters champion Nick Faldo and Craig Stadler. McCarron was poised to win seven years ago, with a three-shot lead on the back nine, but had to settle for second.

"I love this golf course," he said Friday in the Northern Trust Open after Riviera showed him some love back.

He finished the second round when it was nearly dark, barely able to see the 18th green from 211 yards, knowing it was a tough shot because of the trees and 5-wood in his hand. Aiming left of the green toward the grandstand, he pulled off a beautiful fade that landed in the middle of the green and rolled 10 feet from the cup.

The final birdie gave him a 3-under 68 and a two-shot lead over Steve Stricker and Tommy Armour III.

And it gave him another chance on Sunset Boulevard.

"It's all about getting myself into position," McCarron said. "If I could have put up another good number, I could have separated myself a little bit. But it's difficult to separate yourself on a course like this."

That much was evident by looking at the leaderboard heading into the weekend, with nine players separated by three shots.

McCarron was at 10-under 132 and will play in the final group Saturday with Stricker (66) and Armour (67). Another shot back was Phil Mickelson, who was nine shots worse than his opening 63, yet still optimistic about ending his West Coast slump.

"This is the first time I'm in contention heading into the weekend, and I'm excited about it," he said.

Joining him in the group at 7-under 135 were five players who know how to win, two of them with recent experience. Geoff Ogilvy, who went wire-to-wire at Kapalua to start the year, had a 67. Bob Hope Classic winner Pat Perez had a 66. Then there was Rory Sabbatini, the Riviera winner three years ago, Luke Donald and K.J. Choi.

Twilight on Friday must have felt like those old college days for McCarron — cool air, the fresh smell of eucalyptus, and hardly any fans roaming the golf course.

"I love being here in Pacific Palisades, in Westwood, going to a basketball game last night," he said. "I have a lot of friends and fraternity brothers following me, and it feels good to play well."