Mickelson, 46, was taking aim at his sixth major championship and second British Open.
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Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson are locked in a tight battle for the 2016 British Open title heading into the final round on Sunday, as the Swede holds a one-shot lead over his closest rival at the top of the leaderboard, sitting at 12 under. Stenson answered with a 5-iron to 6 feet for birdie on the next hole to tie for the lead when Mickelson three-putted, only his third bogey of the week.
Improving conditions gave the chasing pack more hope of mounting a challenge to the final pair, although Bill Haas remained six off the lead after two opening pars.
If he does triumph, Stenson will become the first Scandinavian man ever to win a Major and the first player from continental Europe to lift the Claret Jug since the late, great Seve Ballesteros of Spain in 1988.
Another birdie from similar distance on the next restored Stenson’s overnight advantage, only for Mickelson to hole from eight feet for an eagle on the fourth.
Mickelson could only shake his head – he’ll probably be doing that a lot in the days to come – as he pondered how Stenson snatched this one away. Usually that’s good enough to do it. And I got beat.
He has never held a lead after 54 at a major until now, per the Golf Channel, and it’s more than fair to wonder how he will cope with the pressure on Sunday.
Mickelson has put the so-called “Big Four” of Jason Day (one over), Dustin Johnson (one under), Jordan Spieth (five over) and Rory McIlroy (even par) in the shade this week.
“It certainly crossed my mind a little bit out there today, that match when Jack and Tom went head to head there in ’77”, Mickelson said.
Mickelson’s round featured four birdies, an eagle and not a single dropped shot.
Stenson birdies the last to finish at 20 under.
“I hit a drive that I thought was 20 yards left of the fairway and I got up there and it was in the middle of the fairway just because it went about 230 (yards)”.
“But I felt like it was my time”.
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Stenson is the only player to have scored below 70 in all three of his rounds, and his short game has been phenomenal so far.
