Tiger Woods is left trailing by Phil Mickelson at Pebble Beach

Published on Monday 13 February 2012 00:10

PHIL Mickelson powered to the top of the leaderboard midway through his final round at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California.

The American’s three birdies were joined by an eagle at the par-5 sixth as he reached the turn in five-under 31 to stand at 14-under for the tournament.

Mickelson’s nearest challenger entering the final stages was compatriot Kevin Streelman, who hit seven birdies and a bogey through 12 holes to lie just a stroke off the lead.

Ricky Barnes was a further stroke back on 12 under after going four under through 11 holes, while overnight leader Charlie Wi was also in a tie for third after dropping three shots over his first eight holes.

Dustin Johnson, Kevin Na and Ken Duke were at 11 under through 10, nine and eight holes respectively to remain well in touch with the leaders.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington was at 10 under through 11 holes, but things were less encouraging for Tiger Woods, who came into the final round four strokes off the lead and was looking good when he picked up a birdie at the sixth, only for bogeys at seven, eight and nine to hit his chances.

That left the American two-over-par for the round at the turn and five shots off the pace of playing partner Mickelson.

Six strokes off the pace at the halfway stage, Woods shot a five-under-par 67 in Saturday’s third round, mixing six birdies with a lone bogey to post an 11-under total of 203. His only disappointment was not to take greater advantage of the easier outward nine, his back nine, in his pursuit of a first victory in a full-field event since the 2009 Australian Masters.

“I didn’t hit it as well as I did the last two days, but I made some more putts and really managed my game well,” said Woods after totalling only 25 putts in the third round.

“Though my game was slightly off today, it’s not as off as it used to be,” added the American, who has battled form over the past two years while working on a swing change and being plagued with injury problems and the breakdown of his marriage.

“I don’t hit the ball as far off line as I used to and my ball doesn’t curve as much, so consequently my off-days are not as far off.”

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