Phil Mickelson failed to capitalise on Tiger Woods’s woeful third round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio as he looked to close in on the world number one ranking.
Mickelson could only manage a one-over-par 71 to leave himself with work to do to end his fellow American’s 270-week reign as the world’s best player.
The world number two bogeyed the par-four opening hole as well as the eighth, 14th and 15th, his three birdies not enough to prevent him slipping back to five under for the tournament and in a six-way tie for 10th, four shots off the lead.
Mickelson needs a top-four finish, coupled with Woods finishing outside the top 44, to assume top spot. The 14-time major winner looks on course to do that, a third-round 75 leaving him languishing in 78th place on 11 over par.
“I’m trying to win the tournament, I’m only four back, and I fought hard today not really having much just to stay within striking distance. I found it difficult, I think the later groups found it tough today,” said Mickelson.
“We felt like we had to force the issue. If I can make some birdies tomorrow hopefully I can give those leaders the same feeling.
“I didn’t play very well today and made some bogeys on the back nine that were costly. I’m going to have to play better tomorrow.
“Tomorrow I’ve got to get the ball in play. My iron play has been good but off the tee hasn’t. I’ve got to get the ball into play, attack some pins and just get a few putts to drop and I think I can put some pressure on the leaders.”
Woods, who had opened with a 74 and the shot a second-round 72, picked up five bogeys, including two on the final two holes, and a double bogey at the par-four eighth during his third round.
Two birdies at the fifth and the 11th did little to improve his fortunes.
“Well, if Phil plays the way he’s supposed to this weekend, then he’ll be number one,” said Woods on his official website after his round.
“I drove it terribly, hit my irons terribly, didn’t putt well, and it added up to a lot.”
Mickelson lay four shots off the lead held by American duo Ryan Palmer and Shaun O’Hair.
Palmer collected seven birdies in a 63 and O’Hair four to go with an eagle at the par-five second to sit one stroke clear of compatriot Matt Kuchar, who picked up five birdies and a bogey in his 66.
South Africa’s Ernie Els, Swede Peter Hanson and Justin Leonard of the United States were in a tie for fourth on seven under.
Els finished his round of 64 with two birdies, making seven all together with one bogey, while Hanson carded a 68 and Leonard a 69.
“I was very frustrated yesterday,” said Els, who made just one birdie and one bogey in his second round. “I thought I hit it nicely yesterday. I hit it quite nicely the first day, but yesterday I felt like I shot a good one.
“I needed a round like this. I needed to get something in the middle 60s to have a chance tomorrow. If somebody plays proper golf you can still score quite low.”
Three more Americans — Hunter Mahan, Jeff Overton and Bo Van Pelt — followed on six under, Van Pelt recovering from a double bogey six at the ninth to end with three straight birdies.
England’s Oliver Watson, Dustin Johnson, Nick Watney, Bubba Watson and Japan’s Katsumasa Miyamoto were level with Mickelson at five under.
Miyamoto had the most impressive round of the day with an eight-under 62 which featured seven birdies and an eagle at the par four 17th, as well as one bogey.
South African Retief Goosen, the leader at the halfway stage, slipped well down the leaderboard, a triple bogey at the opening hole paving the way for a 73 which sent him back to four under overall.
Rory McIlroy leads the Irish challenge going into the final round after a second-straight 69 left him on four under, five shots off the pace.
Graeme McDowell is a shot further back after a 68, while Pádraig Harrington is one under after a level-par 70.