Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Northern Trust Open.
Mickelson,
who won last week at Pebble Beach,
fired a one-under 70 for seven under to remain in front as US PGA champion Bradley shot 66 to join him.
The US trio of Jonathan Byrd, Pat Perez and Bryce Molder ended six under, while England's Justin Rose was two under and world number one Luke Donald level.
"I've led all the way and I'd like to do it to the finish," said Mickelson.
"I'm going to put everything I have into it to see if I can bring out some of my best golf."
Left-hander Mickelson, 41, is aiming for a 41st PGA Tour title but was struggling with some wayward driving and was forced to scramble to stay in touch with Bradley.
“If I didn't fight hard and make pars from some of the places I was at, then I'd be trying to play catch up to a lot of guys”
Phil Mickelson
"Usually when I win, I'll have two good rounds and I'll have two rounds that aren't so great that I've got to keep somewhere in it to give myself a chance," said Mickelson, following scores of 66, 70 and 70.
"Yesterday and today I didn't play the best. I wasn't far off. I hit some good shots at times that didn't quite turn out, but I was playing very defensive all day just trying to make pars. I'll get it turned around.
"Today was a big day because if I didn't fight hard and make pars from some of the places I was at, then I'd be trying to play catch up to a lot of guys."
The four-time major winner was pleased with his par save at the driveable 315-yard 10th, where his tee shot ended up well left of the green behind a Bottle Brush tree.
He then clipped a branch with a lob wedge and failed to reach the green in two. But he struck a deft chip from a swale to three feet and holed the putt.
"That was a good par because it's still a tough up-and-down even down in that valley," said Mickelson.
"I hit a good pitch into that bank three feet left and made it. That was a good one because where I was off the tee I was trying to make par."
“I love Phil. Everything he's done for me is great, and if I didn't win tomorrow, I would hope he would”
Keegan Bradley
Bradley, 25, who has been helped by Mickelson since he first met the three-time Masters champion
sank a nine-footer on the 18th green to seal his 66.
He said: "I kind of figured that [putt] might be to get in the final group with Phil. I really look up to him, and I watched him play a lot of Sundays growing up.
"I enjoy the atmosphere and everything playing with Phil. And any time you play with Phil means you're playing pretty well.
"I'm just trying to stay patient. If you stay patient and you just play good golf and not try to force it, you're going to be okay. I've just done a good job this week of staying patient."
"I love Phil. Everything he's done for me is great, and if I didn't win tomorrow, I would hope he would."
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Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17087792
Norwich chief executive David McNally insists his club are on a firm footing despite Grant Holt’s request to leave Carrow Road.
The 31-year-old talisman’s transfer request was rejected by the Canaries on Friday following a superb first season in the Premier League, following speculation linking Norwich manager Paul Lambert with vacant positions elsewhere. However, chief executive McNally took to Twitter on Saturday in a bid to calm supporters about the club’s future. “We did receive a transfer request from Grant Holt yesterday [Friday]. It was rejected immediately,” McNally said. “At our club, we deal with the out-of-contract players first of all when each season ends. “We then deal with players where the club may have an option to extend their contracts. This season, there are several in this category.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal eased into the final of the Italian Open with a straight-sets 7-6 (8-6) 6-0 victory against David Ferrer in Rome.
Nadal was made to work hard in the opening set by a battling Ferrer.
But once he took it in the tie-break, he did not allow his compatriot a route back into the match and wrapped up the second set without dropping a game.
Nadal will meet either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic, who meet in Saturday’s other semi-final.
More to follow.
England’s Richard Finch shocked German world number nine Martin Kaymer to advance to the last 16 of the World Match Play at Finca Cortesin, Spain.
Finch, ranked 218 in the world, recorded a one-hole win over the number one seed to become the seventh UK player to reach the second round.
Ian Poulter, Tom Lewis, Graeme McDowell, Paul Lawrie, Robert Rock and Justin Rose are all through.
But Open champion Darren Clarke has gone out.
Clarke, who has failed to survive a halfway cut this season, lost twice on Friday, by two holes to Rock and 64 to Rose.
In the morning session, Lewis’s one-hole win over John Senden secured his and defending champion Poulter’s… Continue reading Finch shocks Kaymer at Match Play
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