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Lefty Builds Lead

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 13, 2009

DORAL - Phil Mickelson chipped in for another birdie and wound up with a 6-under 66 on Friday to build a two-shot lead in the CA Championship, putting him in the last group at Doral for the first time in three years.

The only difference this time will be the company he keeps.

Tiger Woods, his nemesis on the Blue Monster, was 10 shots behind.

"It kind of stinks," Mickelson said. "I hope he comes out today and plays a great round and makes a move. I would love to get him back from '05. I came close in '05 and got beat, and I would love the opportunity to play head-to-head."

Mickelson was at 13-under 131 and will have to settle today for Buick Invitational winner Nick Watney, who shot a 67 and will join Lefty in the final group.

Rory McIlroy, the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland who is trying to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in history, finished with an eagle and a birdie on two dangerous holes for a 66 and is three shots behind. He is tied with 48-year-old Kenny Perry, who has three children older than McIlroy.

Woods beat Mickelson in an electric final round four years ago at Doral that came down to the last shot. They were paired again in the last group in the third round in 2006, and Woods got the best of him again.

This time, however, Woods looks like just another player in the field.

He again struggled with his distance control, the frustration growing with every shot too long or too short, leaving him few birdie chances. He made some progress, though - a 70, one shot better than the day before.

But he was at 3-under 141 and in a tie for 35th in the 80-man field at this World Golf Championship.

Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, who first struck a golf ball with a club he fashioned from a bamboo stick and bicycle tires, was atop the leaderboard until a triple bogey on the 18th hole. He shot 70 and was at 9-under 135 with Camilo Villegas and Rod Pampling.

PGA: Matt Jones shot a 30 on his back nine and finished with an 8-under 64 to match the course record, giving him a share of the 36-hole lead with fellow Australian Jason Day (68) at the Puerto Rico Open.

Jones tied the course record set last year by Bo Van Pelt in the inaugural event.

They are at 10-under 134. Bart Bryant is a shot back after a 68.

CHAMPIONS: Joey Sindelar shot an 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead against two-time winner Tom Purtzer in the AT&T Champions Classic in Santa Clarita, Calif.

The 50-year-old Sindelar, winless in 22 starts on the Champions Tour after winning seven times on the PGA Tour, hasn't had a bogey in 38 holes. On Sunday in Newport Beach, he shot a 63 to tie for second behind Eduardo Romero in the Toshiba Classic.

Sindelar one-putted 11 greens and finished with 25 putts overall. With the 64, he matched the best score in the event since it moved to Valencia Country Club in 2001.

Jay Haas and David Edwards opened with 67s, and Bernhard Langer, Bruce Lietzke, Ben Crenshaw and John Cook shot 68s.

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