Thursday, September 2, 2010

The world’s top two golfers will go head-to-head in a Shanghai showdown for the WGC-Champions Tournament title today.

Phil Mickelson goes into the final round with a two-shot lead over Tiger Woods and Nick Watney. And the world No.2 feels he has the edge over his great rival at the Sheshan International GC.

Not only does the left-hander have that two-shot cushion, but he is also feeling lucky.

During his third-round 67 yesterday, which propelled Mickelson to 14-under, ‘Lefty’ was forced to turn his club around and play a shot right-handed after an errant drive.

The last time Mickelson played a right-handed shot in a WGC event was at the CA-Championships at Doral, in Miami, back in March.

He went on to win that tournament, and he thinks yesterday’s shot could prove to be a title-winning one.

“I was up against a tree and took a pitching wedge and flipped it over and chipped out onto the fairway,” he said. “I said to my caddie after I did that, I thought that was a good omen because I ended up winning at Doral having to hit a right-handed shot. I thought that might be a good omen.

“I was pleased to shoot a 67, it was a good round. The biggest thing was that I didn’t make too many mistakes.”

Mickelson beat Tiger the last time the pair played together in the final group - at the PGA Tour season-ending Tour Championship, and he is out to do the same again.

“I know we are both looking forward to it.”

Woods struggled to a two-under par 70, only hitting nine out of 18 greens. And he knows he will need to play much better today if he is to chase down Mickelson.

“Yeah, I mean we’re right there. Unfortunately I’m two back but it’s just one of those things where Nick (Watney) and I have got a chance and we are going to have to go out there and play well,” he said.