Mickelson leads Woods in Shanghai

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-14 P Mickelson (US) -12 N Watney (US), T Woods (US) -11 R Moore (US) -10 L Westwood (Eng) Selected others: -7 E Els (SA), M Kaymer (Ger) -6 P Casey (Eng)

Phil Mickelson will take a two-shot lead over Tiger Woods into the final round of the HSBC Champions tournament after a strong finish on Saturday.

Mickelson birdied three of the last five holes to shoot a five-under-par 67 and move to 14 under overall, ahead of fellow Americans Woods and Nick Watney.

Lee Westwood, leading the European Tour's Race to Dubai money list, is four shots off the lead.

The Englishman surged up the Shanghai leaderboard with a seven-under-par 65.

Westwood has progressed quietly through the first two days with rounds of 70 and 71, but made his mark on Saturday with a flawless five-under-par front nine.

"I didn't really make a big improvement, I just sank a few more putts," said the 36-year-old, who lost to Mickelson in a play-off in this tournament two years ago.

"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 - 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."

World number two Mickelson has made just two bogeys all week, and the 2007 champion turned a two-shot deficit into a two-shot lead over the back nine.

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Can Mickelson hold off Woods?

Two-time runner-up Woods followed up back-to-back rounds of 67 with a battling two-under 70, while Watney sank a mammoth eagle putt at the last to match him.

Asked how he felt about teeing off alongside Woods on the final day, Mickelson said: "I love the fact I've got a two-shot lead and I love the fact we get to play together.

"There's a number of guys who are going to be in mix aside from Tiger and myself, but it's fun we have a chance to play together."

Woods added: "Unfortunately, I'm two shots back but no matter who's out in front, whether it's Phil or someone else, if you want to win a tournament you've got to go out and play and execute.

"You get into your own little world and try to do the best you possibly can, and hopefully you come out on top."

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