Mickelson on course for third Green Jacket
Phil Mickelson had a third green jacket in his sights after one of the shots of his life in The Masters at Augusta.
One ahead of fellow American Anthony Kim at the time and with both Lee Westwood and KJ Choi only two behind, Mickelson was in the trees and on pine straw at the long 13th. In front of him was a gap of little more than four feet between two trunks and he had over 200 yards to go, but 'Phil the Thrill' decided to go for the carry over Rae's Creek and raised his club in triumph when it made it over and rolled up to within four feet of the flag.
Incredibly, he then missed what would have been his third eagle of the week on the hole, but at 14 under par he was two clear of not only Kim, but also Westwood after he also birdied there.
Westwood, one ahead of Mickelson at the start of the day, was only level par for his round with five to play, but Mickelson's missed putt had kept him very much in it as he strived for his first major title.
Kim was on the last by then, having made a thrilling charge in the previous hour.
Only seven under with six to go, last week's Houston Open winner, playing only his second Masters, birdied the 13th and 14th, made a 15-footer for eagle at the next and followed that with a 20-foot birdie putt on the short 16th.
Choi had been joint leader prior to Mickelson holing an 18-footer for a two at the short 12th and the 39-year-old, trying for a second successive Korean victory in the majors after YE Yang's US PGA glory last August, then damaged his chance by running up a six at the 13th.
He was bunkered in two, only just got it out and then three-putted.
As for Tiger Woods, he had recovered from a shocking start to put himself back in the hunt by holing his approach to the seventh and making birdies on the next two.
Three behind entering the back nine, he bogeyed the 11th, birdied the 13th, but then three-putted from only six feet at the next. Back to six adrift, it looked over for him on his return from a near five-month absence.
