Mickelson edges ahead in LA

Golf Events / Editor / 17 February 2007 /

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Phil Mickelson fired a 69 to finish just ahead of Padraig Harrington on 13 under at the top of the Nissan Open leaderboard

Ireland's Harrington remains hot on American Mickelson's heels after a 70 to move to 12 under, with Rich Beem following closely behind after a 65 left him 11 under.

Australia's Robert Allenby and Charles Howell III finished three off the lead to tie for fourth, while Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia and Ernie Els stay in the chasing pack after tying for sixth.
Mickleson started the day tied for the lead with Harrington on 11 under but had quickly edged in front after two birdies. But the Masters champions blew his big chance to put further daylight between himself and his challengers when he conceded bogies at 12, 13 and 16.

"Somewhere along the line, iron shots just weren't quite coming off," said Mickelson, who is the favourite on Betfair's Winner market at 1.94 to land the tournament in California.
"I missed a couple of fairways early on with three-woods, and I was four-under through 11, but the longest putt I had made was three or four feet.
"I didn't hit enough iron shots close. I just kind of hung in there."

Harrington is not out of it and is available at 5 to turn this tournament around, while Allenby is on offer at 18 to stage a stunning fightback. Howell III is next up at 19, while Els (22), Furyk (25) and Garcia (36) will need strong fourth rounds to claim glory.

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