Mickelson moves into tie for second
INVERNESS, Scotland – Henrik Stenson held off a resurgent Phil Mickelson at the Scottish Open by shooting a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.
Mickelson was in a group of four players in a tie for second after making six birdies in his last 11 holes for a 66 on Saturday. His performance has the American talking up his improving links game before next week’s British Open.
Branden Grace and first-round leader John Parry were tied with Mickelson after each shooting 66, along with J.B. Hansen (69).
Stenson, at 16 under for the tournament, has emerged from a prolonged slump and is showing the kind of consistent form that took the Swede to No. 4 in the world four years ago.
“I wouldn’t say I’m far off that,” said Stenson, who was as low as No. 230 in the rankings 18 months ago. “The way I played today, that was top-10 standard. It’s as good as I have hit the ball all season.”
With the wind arriving late in the day and the sun again beating down, Castle Stuart was largely defenseless for a third straight round. But no one could pull away.
Chris Doak was the overnight leader but seemed to feel the pressure to become Scotland’s first home winner in 14 years. He shot 73.
Gareth Maybin tied the week’s lowest round of 64, putting him in a three-way tie for sixth with Raphael Jacquelin (65) and Peter Uihlein (70).
Accurate off the tee and creative as ever around the greens, Mickelson chose the ideal day to show off his full repertoire of skills.
American television was broadcasting a regular European Tour event live for the first time this weekend, with NBC fortunate enough to have Mickelson in contention.
The four-time major winner had four birdies in five holes playing into the wind. A delicate chip to within three feet set up another birdie at No. 16, and a 15-foot putt on the last hole lifted him briefly into the lead and drew one of the biggest cheers of the day.
“The last 11 holes were a lot of fun for me to play,” he said.
Mickelson is seeking his first win in Europe in 20 years and first in Britain. That would prove the ideal way to go into the British Open.
“I have kept the ball in play as well as I ever have (on links),” said Mickelson, who found 11 of 14 fairways on the undulating course in the Scottish Highlands.
Michael Allen’s lead down to 2 at U.S. Senior Open: Kenny Perry and Fred Funk are making charges in the U.S. Senior Open, each pulling within two shots of leader Michael Allen with one round to go.
Perry, going for a second straight win in a senior major, shot 6-under-par 64 to match Corey Pavin for the low round on Saturday at Omaha Country Club. Funk shot 67 after making a long birdie putt on No. 18.
Allen, who shot a 63 Friday, ballooned to a 2-over 72. He started the day with a 5-stroke advantage over Rocco Mediate. It was the largest lead after 36 holes in the tournament’s 34-year history.
Allen is at 8-under 202 for the tournament. Pavin is two shots behind Perry and Funk and four behind Allen.
Mediate faded with bogeys on four of five holes in the middle of his round and sits five shots back after a 72.
Summerhays grabs 2-shot lead at John Deere Classic: Daniel Summerhays shot a 9-under 62 on Saturday for a two-stroke lead following third-round play at the John Deere Classic.
Summerhays, whose previous best finish on the PGA Tour was a tie for fourth, enters Sunday’s final round at 19-under 194 and in position for his first career win.
Summerhays notched 10 birdies while matching the lowest third-round score in tournament history.
Canadian David Hearn (64) is second at 17 under. Defending champion Zach Johnson held a share of the lead after each of the first two rounds, but he’s now alone in third after shooting a 67.
Park leads Stanford by stroke: South Korea’s Hee Young Park shot a career-best 61 to move into the lead after the third round at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.
Park was 10 under for the round and 20-under 193 overall, one stroke better than American Angela Stanford and two shots ahead of Scotland’s Catriona Matthew.
Park nearly chipped in on the 18th hole for an eagle before tapping in a short putt for her sixth birdie on the back nine.
Matthew (68) started the day with a three-shot lead on Stanford (64) but fell back with a double-bogey on the par-3 12th.
South Korea’s Inbee Park remained in contention after a 67, good for a ninth-place tie at 13 under.