THE MASTERS RELATED STORIES The Masters Home Page The Masters Preview Round 4: Zach Johnson wins Masters by two shots Round 4: Woods fails to close out last day lead Round 4: South Africans runners up again Round 4: Tough Augusta steals the show Round 3: Stuart Appleby leads on brutal Saturday Round 3: Phil Mickelson not giving up yet Round 3: Stuart Appleby plays down Tiger battle Round 2: Wetterich & Clark lead at halfway Round 2: Tiger Woods struggles but stays in touch Round 2: Ballesteros struggles on Masters return Round 1: Rose & Wetterich set Masters pace Round 1: Mickelson positive despite opening 76 Round 1: Arnold Palmer gets Masters started Course Guide: Augusta National The Masters Scores 2007 PGA Tour Schedule Phil Mickelson & Tiger Woods the main attraction Arnold Palmer to hit opening Masters tee shot Brett Quigley leaves Masters for birth of child Ernie Els takes aim at first Masters title In form Scott aims to be first Aussie to win Masters Charles Howell III the local favourite New father Brett Quigley ready for Masters Augusta all about the power game Masters to change entry rules for 2008 Back problems won't stop Fred Couples playing Masters set for Woods & Mickelson duel Mark O'Meara wins the Par 3 contest GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Padraig Harrington hungry for more success Michelle Wie to play on PGA Tour again IGF forms 2016 Olympic Committee Greg Norman proud of achievement Ian Poulter impressive with second place Henrik Stenson happy with his best ever finish GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Golf Breaks to Portugal & Ireland Half Price Golf Vouchers InstructaCard - your portable pro! The Father & Son Golf Ch'ship Golf Insurance

Phil Mickelson not giving up yet

Phil Mickelson was unwilling to give up on his Masters title defense despite posting a one-over-par 73 for a six-over tally of 222 in the third round on Saturday.

The American left-hander walked off the course seven shots off the pace, but by the end of a difficult day for scoring he was just four strokes behind leader Stuart Appleby of Australia, who stood at two over par.

"I'm not ready to concede," Mickelson told reporters. "Certainly I'd rather be closer to even but over-par will win this tournament. I've just got to get closer to even."

With the rain-starved Augusta National course running fast and with the greens hard and unreceptive, Mickelson said he would not get too aggressive on Sunday.

"I have to make about 14 pars and four birdies," he said. "There are birdie holes.

"You can birdie the four par-fives and you can birdie a couple of par-fours. You're limited on those birdie chances and fighting for pars on the other holes."

Mickelson birdied the par-five second on Saturday but failed to take advantage of the three other long holes.

"I've got to make a few more birdies on the par-fives. I had good chances on the eighth, 13th and 15th today and didn't capitalize," he said.

It has been 17 years since the winner has emerged from outside the final pairing, going back to Nick Faldo's playoff victory in 1990 against Raymond Floyd.

"A lot of that is because late in the afternoon the wind dies down and it gets very calm and on the back nine the weather conditions are perfect and guys can shoot low rounds," said Mickelson.

"I think it will be different tomorrow. There's a good chance a guy who goes off early and posts a good number can possibly take the title."

Mickelson hopes he is that man.

"I don't feel like it's unrealistic. I've seen guys like (Jack) Nicklaus and (Gary) Player come from seven shots back and some from even further, like Jackie Burke (who won from nine back in 1956).

"I don't have to shoot a miraculous round but I will have to shoot something in the 60s."