Mickelson takes Shanghai lead, sets up Tiger clash

By Nick Mulvenney

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson shot a third-round five-under-par 67 to take a two-shot lead at the $7 million WGC-HSBC Champions on Saturday, setting up a rare head-to-head battle with Tiger Woods on the final day.

World number two Mickelson finished the day at 14-under for the tournament, while Woods and Nick Watney, who shared the lead overnight, both shot 70s to ensure an all-American leading group on Sunday.

Despite being the best two players in the world in recent years, world number one Woods and Mickelson have not often been put together in the leading group final round with a title up for grabs.

"I don't know how often it's happened," Mickelson told reporters. "But I know we are both looking forward to it. I think it will be a fun day."

Mickelson, who won here in 2007, picked up three shots in his first five holes to join Woods and Watney at the top of the leaderboard before dropping off with a bogey five when he found the trees at the ninth.

Woods, playing a hole behind his rival, had reaped the benefit of superb approach shots at the second and fifth holes to convert short putts for birdies that put him on 12-under.

The 14-times major champion then drained a nine-foot putt at the eighth to take the lead on his own for the first time in the tournament but was pegged back when his drive found a bunker on the ninth fairway and he missed a six-footer for par.

Another birdie straight after the turn was cancelled out by a bogey at the 11th and he could only manage pars down the remainder of the back nine, recovering well after finding the rough with his drive and bunker with his approach at the last.