Phil Mickelson put his recent troubles behind him to take a one-shot lead at the Scottish Open on Saturday.
The American, whose injured left wrist caused him to miss the cut at the United States Open at Oakmont, leads from Frenchman Gregory Havret, and the left-hander showed signs of making a timely return to form less than a week before the British Open at Carnoustie.
Victory on Sunday would also be Mickelson’s first in Europe. ”That would mean a lot to me, as it would to win in Scotland, the home of golf,” said the 37-year-old.
On Saturday, Mickelson carded a third-round 68 in windy conditions to move on to the 12-under-par total of 201.
England’s Steve Webster is in third place with South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, who shot 64, and England’s Phillip Archer sharing fourth place.
Mickelson, one shot behind overnight, hit a stunning birdie on the third in dramatic circumstances. His approach landed on the edge of a pond at the side of the green from where he waded in to leave the ball within 10 feet of the flag.
He holed the putt for a birdie four and then added further birdies on the seventh and ninth to turn in 33.
”I hit it in the same spot yesterday [Friday] and only just got it out, so I could judge from that how hard to hit it,” explained the American of his flirtation with the pond.
After bogeying the 10th when his ball was plugged in a bunker, he recovered with another birdie on the 13th.
The world number three’s one and only solo overseas victory in his career came in an invitation event in Paris in 1993, his rookie season as a professional, but it wasn’t a full European Tour event.
”I’ve not played to the level I expect outside the States and it would mean a lot, but I don’t take it for granted,” he said.
South Africa’s Ernie Els hit two birdies in the last five holes, but he still finished on 71 to be adrift of Mickelson. Els may profit, however, from the fact that Havret, Webster, Oosthuizen and Archer are trying to grab the one Open spot up for grabs as well as catch Mickelson. — Sapa-AFP