Phil, Tiger go head-to-head

Mickelson: Great finish

Third round leaderboard:
US unless stated
-14 P Mickelson
-12 N Watney
-12 T Woods
-10 L Westwood (Eng)
-8 A Kim
-8 J Randhawa (Ind)

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Phil Mickelson picked up three birdies in the last five holes to take a two-stroke lead heading into the final round of the HSBC Champions.

The left-hander started the third round a shot behind co-leaders Tiger Woods and Nick Watney but with the duo only managing a pair of 70s Mickelson will go into day four with a useful cushion.

It means the world's leading players will tee it up on Sunday morning to give the tournament's organisers their dream scenario in it's first year with World Golf Championship status.

Despite Woods' top billing it has been the world number two who has sparkled so far this week, recording only his second bogey in 54 holes at the ninth which was sandwiched by three birdies either side.

Cold putter

The American, successful at the Sheshan International Golf Club two years ago, birdied the par-five 18th for the third straight day after chipping stone dead to assure himself of the overnight lead.

"The weather was more difficult with the winds being stronger and from a different direction and I was pleased to shoot 67," said Mickelson.

"I made more birdies, but I didn't make too many big mistakes. I had the bogey on nine, but kept the ball in play and took advantage of the other birdie holes.

"The course played kind of backwards with birdie holes being more difficult with the wind and holes which are normally the challenging pars were the birdie holes."

His round contrasted to that of Woods, who failed to get the putter going on the back nine as he came home in 36, making a solitary birdie at the 10th and failing to birdie either of the par fives.

Overnight leader Watney also struggled with three birdies cancelled out by three dropped shots until he found the green with his second to the 18th, where he proceeded to hole a monster putt to secure his place in the final three-ball on Sunday.

"It was a little bit more difficult," admitted Woods. "I didn't putt as well as I did on the first two days. I didn't make as many putts and consequently I was three shots worse off.

"Nick and I have a chance and we are going to have to go out and obviously play well. For me to win the championship, I'm going to have to play well and make some putts."

Watney and Woods are one ahead of the chasers headed by Ryan Moore, who had little to shout about barring a chip-in eagle at the second and a birdie-birdie finish to record a 70 and remain within hailing distance of Mickelson.

Birdie blitz

However, the big move of the day came from England's Lee Westwood, who is looking to seal his position at the top of the Race To Dubai.

The European Ryder Cup star was just three under par at the start of the day but a phenomenal start saw him post six threes in the first seven holes in an outward nine of just 31 strokes.

He dropped his only shot of the day at the 15th but there were further birdies either side of that and a four at the last saw him home in 65.

"I didn't really make a a big improvement, I just sank a few more putts," he said. "I felt like I was lacking a bit of rhythm with my stroke for the first couple of days.

"I tried to free it up and putt with a bit more rhythm and let the putter flow and I rolled a few in and made a couple of four or five footers to keep the momentum going."

American Anthony Kim and Jyoti Randhawa of India are two shots further back on eight under par while four players sit on seven-under, headed by Ernie Els and Japanese tyro Ryo Ishikawa.

Australian Geoff Ogilvy matched Westwood's 65 to climb 38 places as he came home in just 30 shots, which included an eagle two at the 16th where he holed his approach.