Phil Mickelson is still without a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour this season, but he’s in position to end that drought in emphatic fashion in Charlotte. Here’s how things look through three rounds at the Wells Fargo Championship, where Mickelson trails J.B. Holmes by two:
Leaderboard: J.B. Holmes (-13), Martin Flores (-12), Phil Mickelson (-11), Kevin Kisner (-10), Justin Rose (-9), Jason Bohn (-9)
What it means: Rory McIlroy got things started with an early 65, then Mickelson took control with a sizzling 63. When it was all said and done, though, it was Holmes’ name atop the leaderboard as he looks to win on the PGA Tour for the first time since 2008.
Round of the day: Mickelson bounced back from a second-round 75 in a big way, bettering that effort by 12 shots. His outward 29 set a tournament record for nine-hole score and included a stretch of five birdies and an eagle from Nos. 3-8. His 9-under 63 matched his low score of the year and also the lowest third-round total of his career.
Best of the rest: McIlroy made the cut on the number but quickly sparked a rally, with five birdies across his first eight holes. He added three more birdies across his inward half to surge into contention and perhaps match his feat of 2010, when he went from the cut line to the winner’s circle after rounds of 66 and 62.
Biggest disappointment: Angel Cabrera held at least a share of the lead after each of the first two rounds, but the Argentine plummeted down the leaderboard after a 3-over 75 Saturday. Cabrera managed only a single birdie against four bogeys, and as a result he’ll begin the final round in a tie for 11th, seven shots off the pace.
Main storyline heading into Sunday: Holmes has battled back from multiple injuries and would be a deserving winner, but all eyes will be focused on Mickelson as he looks to triumph at a course where he already has seven top-10 finishes. He’ll play alongside Kisner in the penultimate group with an eye on carding back-to-back rounds in the 60s for the first time all year.
Quote of the day: “I had a good round today, and it feels good, because it’s been a rough year for me.” – Mickelson
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