Phil Mickelson shot a two-under 70 on Saturday in the most miserable conditions of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, giving him a share of the lead with Kevin Sutherland.
Sutherland got into the final group for the second time in three weeks with a birdie on his final hole at Poppy Hills for a 67 and joined Mickelson atop the leader board at 14-under 202.
John Mallinger, a 27-year-old rookie, had a 68 at Poppy and was one shot behind.
Sutherland opened with a 72 at Pebble Beach on Thursday. Jim Furyk had to take on rain that fell sideways in 30km/h gusts at Pebble Beach on Saturday, and it was costly. He hit a fairway metal for his second shot on the par-four 10th over the cliffs and took double bogey, winding up with a 76.
More ”Crosby” weather was in the forecast for Sunday, and that was OK with Mickelson.
”The key if the weather gets bad is to drive the ball well,” he said after his round on Spyglass Hill. ”You have to put the ball in place because from the rough or the bunkers, you’re just fighting for par the whole time. I’m actually really excited about my chances. I’ve been driving it better than I think I ever have, and I’m excited about putting it to the test here.”
Aiding his chances is the limited number of contenders.
The 42-year-old Sutherland plays his best golf in his native California, but his only United States PGA Tour victory came five years ago down the coast at La Costa in the Accenture Match Play Championship.
He was one shot out of the lead going into the last round at the Buick Invitational, but closed with a 74 and tied for 14th. — Sapa-AP