Mickelson leads, but Woods lurking

GOLF: Ryan Moore also in mix heading into today’s final round

The Associated Press | • Published November 08, 2009

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Phil Mickelson was unwinding from a day that took him from a two-shot deficit against Tiger Woods to a two-shot lead over the final eight holes Saturday in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

He marveled at how much the crowds have grown in the three years he has been coming to Sheshan International. And he could only imagine what it would be like today, when he played in the final group with Woods for the first time in more than four years.

Then he smiled and raised his glass in a mock toast.

“And he’s got to give me one shot a side,” Mickelson said.

A rivalry that was renewed six weeks ago in Atlanta continued halfway around world in China when Woods stalled with pars and Mickelson poured in three birdies over his last five holes for a 5-under 67 (a 14-under total of 202) and a two-shot lead over Woods and Nick Watney in the final World Golf Championship of the year.

Puyallup’s Ryan Moore, who qualified for the HSBC Champions by winning for the first time on the PGA Tour in August, finished with a 2-under round of 70 Saturday and was alone in third place at 11-under 205.

“I know we are both looking forward to it,” Mickelson said of the final-round grouping with Woods. “I think it will be a fun day, and we are excited to be playing in the last group here in China.”

It will be the first time the world’s top two players have been in the final group since their Duel at Doral in 2005, when Woods rallied from a two-shot deficit in the final round to win by one.

Woods wasn’t terribly pleased to be in this position. He took his first outright lead of the tournament with a 15-foot birdie putt on the eighth hole. After another 15-foot birdie putt on the 10th, his lead was up to two.

That turned out to be his last birdie of his 2-under 70 round.

“I didn’t putt as well as I did the first two days,” said Woods, who opened with 67-67. “And the back nine, I didn’t take advantage of the par 5s and 16. I hit it in there stiff and missed that one as well. Consequently, I was three shots worse.”

South Korean on top

South Korea’s Bo Bae Song birdied the final hole for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke lead in the Mizuno Classic in Shima, Japan.

Song had six birdies in a front-nine 30, then had two birdies and bogey on the final nine holes to reach 11 under.

Akane Iijima (64) and In-Kyung Kim (65) were tied for second, and Rui Kitada (66) was 9 under in the event sanctioned by the LPGA Tour and Japan LPGA.