Louisville: Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and fast-rising US prodigy Rickie Fowler are set for a last-round charge from the penultimate pairing Sunday at the PGA Championship. World number one Rory McIlroy owns a one-stroke lead over Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, a two-stroke edge on Fowler and a three-shot advantage over Mickelson at rain-soaked Valhalla.
But with the wet course receptive for aggressive shotmaking and a host of rivals hungry for their first major title within reach of McIlroy, the stage is set for a final round that could resemble a Kentucky Derby backstretch run from nearby iconic horse racing venue Churchill Downs. “I need to play aggressive and make some confident swings early on and make some birdies,” Mickelson said. “I’m going to be trying to make up ground on some guys that are playing really good golf and will be making birdies tomorrow, so I’ll have to make a lot of them. “You’ve got to go out and make birdies. You just have to get a hot hand.”
The 44-year-old US left-hander, ranked 13th, has struggled most of the year, his lone top-10 showing a runner-up finish at Abu Dhabi. But last Sunday, Mickelson fired a stunning 10-under par 62 at the World Golf Championships event in Akron, Ohio, and found the magic in his swing he had been seeking all season.
“It doesn’t take much when you feel like your game is close,” Mickelson said. “I didn’t feel like I was searching as much. I knew what I was trying to do. I was in control and had good control of the golf club.”.(AFP)
