PHOTO GALLERY
SCORESHEET
Day 2
Day 1

November 7th 2009, Shanghai, China: Phil Mickelson snatched the third round lead at the WGC-HSBC Champions on Saturday to set up a dream final round showdown with arch rival Tiger Woods.

Mickelson, ranked second in the world, produced an impressive five-under-par 67 in blustery conditions at Sheshan International Golf Club to open up a two-shot lead from world number one Woods, who battled to a 70.

Joint-overnight leader Nick Watney stayed in the hunt after a 70 to lie alongside Woods in the star-studded US$7 million event, Asia’s first World Golf Championship. American Ryan Moore was a further shot back while England’s Lee Westwood charged into contention with the day’s joint best of 65 to lie four off the pace.

Indian star Jyoti Randhawa was Asia’s highest placed finisher in a share of sixth place with American Anthony Kim. Randhawa battled to a 70 and will enter the final round six shots off behind Mickelson, who will chase a fourth title of the year.

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang ended the third round in tied eighth place after a 70 while Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, also with a 70, ended the day in equal 12th position.

Sunday’s final round shoot-out promises to be a cracker as this is the first time that Mickelson, the HSBC Champions winner in 2007, and Woods, runner-up here twice in 2005 and 2006, are going head-to-head in Asia.

“I know we are both looking forward to it. I think it will be a fun day and we are excited to be playing in the last group here in China,” said Mickelson, who leads on 14-under-par 202.

“I know that I’ve got a tough day ahead of me playing with Tiger, playing with Nick Watney, who has been playing very good golf, and right in front of us is another group of strong players with Ryan Moore, and Lee Westwood is right up there.”

Woods, who has been dominant in the WGC series with a staggering 16 victories in 30 starts, led by two shots after negotiating his opening 10 holes in three under but a bogey on 11 stopped his momentum.

“It was a little bit more difficult today certainly. I didn't putt as well as I did the first two days,” said the 14-time Major champion. “We are right there. Unfortunately I'm two back. But you know, it's just one of those things where Nick and I have got a chance tomorrow, and we are going to have to go out there and obviously play well.

“For me to win the championship, I'm going to have to play well tomorrow and make some putts.”

Randhawa acknowledged that he would need a special round tomorrow to upstage the world’s top two players. He shot three birdies against two bogeys.

“It's not easy out there,” conceded the 2002 Asian Tour number one. “Guys are trying to get aggressive and they make a few bogeys and suddenly you're out of the tournament. So I just played consistent golf, stuck to what I needed to do and made some putts.”

Lin was disappointed to drop his lone bogey of the day at the final hole, a par five. “Two under, I’m happy as it was very windy out there,” said the man from Taipei. “Everything was good except for the last hole where my approach shot was caught by the wind and I took a bogey.”

He is determined to finish strongly in what is his third WGC appearance this year. “There are still 18 holes to go. Maybe I have a small chance. Phil is a very good player but tomorrow, I’ll just go out there and try to do it. I’ve been lucky in the final rounds this year, so hopefully I can have another lucky round.”

Thongchai, Asia’s most successful player with 12 tournament victories, is chasing a second career top-10 finish in a WGC event. Three birdies over his closing six holes put a smile on the Thai’s face, considering the blustering conditions which sent scores soaring.

“It was good, I played really well. The pins were tough on the front nine where I was even par and on the back nine, I missed some holes but came back nicely with birdies on 16 and 17 and then missed a birdie on the last hole,” said the current Asian Tour number one.

“I will try to attack the pins when I have a chance tomorrow but hitting good tee shots will be important. Making pars will be okay on this course as the set-up is getting tougher by the week,” he said.