Phil Mickelson likes final day chances

Like defending champion Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson goes into the final round of the Buick Invitational with a record fourth victory at Torrey Pines in his sights.

As long as he can regain confidence in his putter, the left-handed Mickelson likes his chances of securing the 28th PGA Tour victory of his career on Sunday.

"I have yet to get confident or comfortable with the putter," the American told reporters after a three-under-par 69 over the tough South Course left him tied for fifth at nine under, two strokes off the lead.

"I may have keyed in on a couple of things there in the last few holes that might carry over to getting the ball started on line.

"But I haven't been doing that and yet I still find myself within striking distance."

Mickelson, making his second PGA Tour appearance of the year after tying for fifth at last week's Bob Hope Classic, held the outright lead on Saturday at 11 under before slipping back.

Buick champion in 1993, 2000 and 2001, he made a rousing start with birdies on two, three, six, nine and 11.

He lost momentum over the closing holes, however, with bogeys on 12, 15 and 17 before a birdie at the last.

"I had a chance to go really low today but a couple of mistakes late in the round brought me back to a couple of shots behind," said Mickelson, one of 10 players separated by just three strokes at the top of the leaderboard.

"However, I'm in striking distance, as are a lot of guys. It should be a fun shootout.

"Maybe I'll be able to make some birdies early and see if I can put a little pressure on them."

The world number four and U.S. PGA champion, who began the third round six shots off the pace, knows what he has to do on the last day.

"I want to play the front nine so that I've got a chance with nine holes to go," said Mickelson, who trails co-leaders Sergio Garcia ad Rod Pampling by two shots and Woods by one.

"I feel really close with my game right now where I'm starting to get much more control over my ball-striking. Kind of the last piece is feeling comfortable on the greens.

"If I can just get the putter turned on tomorrow, I should have a chance. It just makes for a fun Sunday, win or lose."