Golf: Mickelson turns BellSouth into race for second place

DULUTH - Phil Mickelson turned the BellSouth Classic into a race for second place yesterday, forging eight strokes clear after the third round at the Sugarloaf course.

Six ahead overnight, the defending champion fired a five-under 67 to finish on a record-equalling total of 21-under 195.

Chasing his first victory of the year and his third BellSouth title, Mickelson tightened his grip with five consecutive birdies as he raced to the turn in five-under 31.

Despite missing a 1m putt for par on 16 and running up a double-bogey seven at the last after twice finding water, Mickelson picked up three shots on the back nine to close in on his 28th PGA Tour title.

The American left-hander matched the tournament's 54-hole record of a 21-under 195, set by fellow American Larry Nelson back in 1988 when the event was played at Atlanta Country Club.

Two more Americans, Zach Johnson (64) and Jonathan Byrd (66), were tied for second at 13 under and Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal was a further stroke back in fourth, after a round of 69.

Of the other big names competing in the final PGA Tour event before next week's US Masters, world number three Retief Goosen returned a 69 to lie eighth at eight under, with Ireland's Padraig Harrington a further two strokes back after a 71.

Mickelson, who won the first of his two BellSouth crowns in 2000, parred the first two holes before easing into overdrive.

Surprisingly, Mickelson collected his first bogey in 36 holes when he three-putted the par-three eighth after his tee shot finished 25m short of the hole.

Bidding to become the first repeat BellSouth winner since American Hale Irwin in 1977, Mickelson coaxed in a 4.5m putt for birdie at the par-four ninth to stretch his lead out to 11 strokes.

He collected his seventh birdie at the par-three 11th, where he struck a superb tee shot to 1m from the hole.

He then added another at the 283m 13th where he drove just short of the green.

A 2.4m putt for birdie at the par-four 14th lifted him to 24 under before he bogeyed the par-three 16th after missing the green to the left off the tee.

Ten ahead of the chasing pack playing the par-five 18th, he found water just short of the green with his second shot and also with his fourth before holing an 8m putt for a seven.

- REUTERS