SAN DIEGO — Whether it was blind faith in his talent or wanting to please the crowd or just plain stubbornness, it has taken Phil Mickelson awhile to figure out boring is better when playing the South Course at Torrey Pines.
Since golf course architect Reese Jones made changes to the municipal course in 2002 in preparation for the 2008 U.S. Open, Mickelson hasn’t been as dominant as he once was here.
His three wins at this regular Tour stop, now known as the Farmers Insurance Open, came before the re-design with his last victory in 2001. His T18 finish at the U.S. Open here two years ago especially was disappointing.
But Mickelson has decided the way to beat the South Course is to play a conservative brand of golf. So far it has worked this weekend.
A 4-under-par 68 yesterday put him at 12-under heading into today’s final round. He is tied for the lead with Bill Hass, who took bogey on the 18th hole to finish with a 71. One stroke behind is Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson at 11-under, with Anthony Kim at 9-under and upstart Jhonathan Vegas of Venezuela at 9-under. Tiger Woods dropped out of contention with 2-over 74 yesterday to drop to 4-under.
“It doesn’t behoove me to take on any risk out here because I don’t get rewarded,” Mickelson said. “So what I do is play at little more conservative and make pars and a couple of birdies here and there and get myself in contention. It’s been that type of patience that has helped me play well here. Unfortunately, it makes for boring viewing because we don’t have the same excitement we used to have. But it seems to be the best way to get on top of the leaderboard.”
Woods won the U.S. Open here, but won’t win his 2011 debut unless he shoots 59. His 71 yesterday began with bogeys on three of the first five holes.
Nevertheless, the leaderboard remains intriguing.
Mickelson, whose only victory last season came at the Masters, will be paired in the final group today along with, Mahan, his Ryder Cup teammate, and Haas, Jay Haas’ kid, who won twice last year and lost a playoff at the Bob Hope Classic last week.
Behind them will be Watson, another member of last year’s Ryder Cup team; Kim, who is returning to form following a thumb injury last season, and Vegas, the rookie from the Nationwide Tour who won the Bob Hope last week.
“It’s going to be a big challenge,” Mickelson said. “We’ve got some good players up there on the top of the leaderboard. I think it’s going to be an exciting Sunday and I’m happy I’m part of it.”
Mickelson will try to stay patient and conservative, resisting the kind of aggressive shots that have been his forte for much of his career. He admits he was stubborn about accepting a more conservative approach.
“I think people want to see birdies, and they want to see bogeys,” he said. “They want to see us attacking holes trying to get it close. And this course just doesn’t reward you for taking a risk. In fact, it penalizes you because the penalty for coming up short is usually one or two shots as opposed to the one shot you’re trying to gain. That’s why I’ve kind of steadily worked my way up without too many mistakes.”
That might sound fine in theory, but anyone among the leaders could go low today, especially someone like Watson, who went birdie, eagle on the final two holes. Mahan also made eagle at the 18th, hitting a 5-wood from 204 yards out to 5-feet.
“It’s nice to jump in there and put yourself in contention and really feel where you’re game is at,” Mahan said. “There are a lot of great players up there. It should be fun.”