Feb11 Mickstillleads

The conditions were the toughest Phil Mickleson has faced in eight months and it was a day of survival and keeping big numbers off the scorecard.

That’s the kind of language often used at the U.S. Open.

All he has to do now is write a better ending, although redemption didn’t even cross his mind.

“I don’t really think in those terms,” Mickelson said. “I would like to get off to a good start this year, and I love playing this tournament, having won it a couple of times. It would be nice to get momentum on the West Coast.”

Mickelson made only two small errors at Spyglass Hill and shot a 2-under 70, putting him at 14-under 202. He was tied with Kevin Sutherland who birdied the last hole at Poppy Hills and also found himself in a familiar spot.

It was the second time in three weeks he birdied the last hole to get into the final round. And it was the second time all the focus was on somebody else. He had Tiger Woods in the group ahead of him at Torrey Pines. Now he gets Mickelson at his side at Pebble Beach.

“That’s to be expected,” Sutherland said. “I’m playing well right now. I’m shooting scores that I should be shooting given the way I’m playing, so I feel good about tomorrow.”

John Mallinger, a 27-year-old rookie, had a 68 at Poppy Hills and was one shot behind.

Mickelson is perfecting his swing by the day, and what helped this week was the perfect rotation of courses. He played Pebble Beach on Friday, the only day the wind didn’t blow much, and shot 67.

Sutherland opened with a 72 at Pebble Beach on Thursday and rallied at Spyglass and Poppy Hills.

Jim Furyk had to take on rain that fell sideways in 20 mph gusts at Pebble Beach on Saturday, and it was costly. He hit a fairway metal for his second shot on the par-4 10th over the cliffs and took double bogey, and wound up with a 76, six shots behind.

“A tough day to be at Pebble,” he said. “I could have done a lot better job. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

More “Crosby” weather was in the forecast for Sunday, and that was OK with Mickelson. While he has started slowly this year after a four-month layoff, he is most pleased with the ease in hitting draws, fade and low, piercing tee shots.

“The key if the weather gets bad is to drive the ball well,” he said. “You have to put the ball in place because from the rough or the bunkers, you’re just fighting for par the whole time. I’m actually really excited about my chances. I’ve been driving it better than I think I ever have, and I’m excited about putting it to the test here.”

Aiding his chances are the limited number of contenders.

The 42-year-old Sutherland plays his best golf in his native California, but his only PGA TOUR victory came five years ago down the coast at La Costa in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

He was one shot out of the lead going into the last round at the Buick Invitational, but closed with a 74 and tied for 14th.

Did you know: Bill Murray gave Tournament Director Ollie Nutt a scare on the first tee. He asked for quiet, then informed the gallery that this would be his last appearance in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. After setting up over his ball, he looked back up and added, “as an amateur.” Then he ripped one down the middle as the crowd roared. … The celebrity presence at the AT&T was best defined by a marshal on the 14th fairway. There was laughter and cheering ahead on the 15th tee, and he was asked who was in the group ahead. “Kevin Costner, Don Cheadle and … I’m not sure who the other two guys are,” he said. Those would have been the PGA Tour players, Dean Wilson and D.J. Trahan. OK, so they’re not household names, but still. … Tom Watson is eight shots behind, but still happy over one goal – he and son Michael made the pro-am cut and are tied for second.