Mickelson leads by a strokes at HSBC Champions

Phil Mickelson will be the man to beat over the final 18 holes of this year's HSBC Champions event in Shanghai. His third round of 67 was good enough to send him two strokes clear of the chasing pack on Saturday.

American Nick Watney began the day sharing the lead with Tiger Woods, and made the turn at one under par for the round. The two-time PGA tour tournament winner struggled to match the consistency of his opening round 64 on the homeward stretch in a round full of birdies and bogeys.

The 28 year old did end with an eagle-3 at the par-5 18th to card his second consecutive round of 70. That took him to 12 under par total - not quite enough to retain the lead.

Watney did continue to keep himself close to championship rival Tiger Woods on day 3 of the championship. The world number one is looking to win the event for the first time following runner-up finishes in previous years.

He made a strong start and quickly collected four birdies and a bogey to reach the ninth at two under for the day. His back nine was solid, if unspectacular. He put away seven pars, a birdie and a solitary bogey, and as a result was also forced to settle for a 70 to remain tied with Watney in joint second.

Leading the pack is left-hander Phil Mickelson. Like his longtime rival Woods, the American went out at two under par, but it was his control and lack of errors on the homeward stretch that was the key to his round.

The 39 year-old had three birdies and six pars on a flawless inward half. That allowed him to record a 67 and claw his way from joint third overnight to a 2-stroke outright lead. So with just 18 holes left to play it remains to be seen if Tiger Woods can mount a late challenge to topple Mickelson - or if Nick Watney can spring a Shanghai surprise.

Bo Bae Song leads by a at Mizuno Classic

Over at the LPGA Mizuno Classic in Shima, Japan. Local favourite Ai Miyazato was one of those moving up the leaderboard. She nailed this long birdie putt at 13 on her way to a second round 5 under par 67. The Japanese star is now in a share of fifth, three strokes off the lead at 8 under.

2007 Mizuno Classic champion Momoko Ueda is another one of eight players tied for fifth on 8 under, after she finished with a 5-under 67 that included this birdie on 15.

Defending champion and newly crowned LPGA Rookie of the Year, Ji-yai Shin of South Korea, remains in the hunt after she birdied the 18th to end the day at eight-under with a 67.

But the one to catch is South Korea's Bo Bae Song. She took over sole possession of the lead when she set herself up for birdie with a great approach that landed two feet from the flag on the par-four 18th.

Song, who plays on the Japan LPGA Tour, then holed a simple putt for her birdie and a 7 under 65. That leaves her in the lead by a stroke on 11-under, heading into Sunday's final round at the Mizuno Classic.