Woods aims to shut out Mickelson in Shanghai duel

By Nick Mulvenney

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Tiger Woods is hoping to inhabit a world of his own as he tries to make up two shots on tournament leader Phil Mickelson in Sunday's final round showdown between the top two in the world at the WGC-HSBC Champions.

The pair of golfing titans will be joined for the fourth round at the Sheshan International by compatriot Nick Watney, who shares second with Woods.

Woods and Mickelson were paired for the final round at the U.S. Masters this year but they were seven shots off the pace and Sunday will be a rare head-to-head in the leading group.

"You just go play, no matter who is out in front, whether it's Phil or someone else," world number one Woods told reporters.

"You want to win a tournament, you have to go out there and play and execute. You get into your own little world and try and do the best you possibly can, and hopefully you can come out on top."

Mickelson beat the 14-times major winner to win the title when they played together in the final round at the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2007 and Woods faces an uphill task to rein in his rival in what could be wet conditions on Sunday.

"Unfortunately I'm two back. Nick and I have got a chance tomorrow, and we are going to have to go out there and obviously play well," said Woods, runner up in his two previous visits to Shanghai.

"A lot depends on what weather comes in, if it is going to rain or not, and that's one of those adjustment things, that you play it by ear."