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Sunday November 8, 2009

Mickelson, Woods and Watney set up an all-American battle

SHANGHAI: Phil Mickelson shot a third-round five-under 67 to take a two-shot lead at the US$7mil WGC-HSBC Champions yesterday, setting up a rare head-to-head battle with Tiger Woods on the final day.

World number two Mickelson finished the day at 14-under for the tournament, while Woods and Nick Watney, who shared the lead overnight, both shot 70s to ensure an all-American leading group today.

Despite being the best two players in the world in recent years, world number one Woods and Mickelson have not often been put together in the leading group final round with a title up for grabs.

“I don’t know how often it’s happened,” Mickelson said. “But I know we are both looking forward to it. I think it will be a fun day.”

The plan: Phil Mickelson and his caddie Jim Mackay speaking about how he needs to hit the green before teeing off at the 17th tee to grab the lead. — AP

Mickelson, who won here in 2007, picked up three shots in his first five holes to join Woods and Watney at the top of the leaderboard before dropping off with a bogey five when he found the trees at the ninth.

Woods, playing a hole behind his rival, had reaped the benefit of superb approach shots at the second and fifth holes to convert short putts for birdies that put him on 12-under.

The 14-time major champion then drained a nine-foot putt at the eighth to take the lead on his own for the first time in the tournament but was pegged back when his drive found a bunker on the ninth fairway and he missed a six-footer for par.

Another birdie straight after the turn was cancelled out by a bogey at the 11th and he could only manage pars down the remainder of the back nine, recovering well after finding the rough with his drive and bunker with his approach at the last.

“It was a little bit more difficult today certainly,” said the world number one. “I didn’t putt as well as I did the first two days ... consequently I was three shots worse, that’s about right.”

Up ahead, Mickelson also played par golf down the back nine before birdies at the 14th and 15th re-ignited his round and he completed his 67 with a huge grin on his face after another at the signature 18th.

“The weather was more difficult today with the winds being stronger and from a different direction,” added Mickelson. “I was pleased to shoot 67. It was a good round.”

Watney, who finished runner-up behind Mickelson at the WGC-CA Championship earlier this year, had the perfect finish to his round when he sank a 45-foot eagle putt on the last hole.

“I hit it right where I thought I needed to. I didn’t know whether or not it was going to hang on and I was so happy when I saw the ball disappear,” said the 28-year-old Californian.

Another American, Ryan Moore, chipped in for eagle at the second but bogeys either side of the turn hurt his cause. He rallied with birdies at his last two holes for a 70 to remain alone in fourth, three shots off the pace. — Reuters

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