Lefty Leaps over Tiger, Watney - Leads by 2 in China

Tiger WoodsTiger Woods and Nick WatneyNick Watney remained tied similar to their second round lead.

The only thing is . . . Phil MickelsonPhil Mickelson snuck by both of them to grab the 54-hole lead in the $7 million HSBC Champions tournament. The last WGC event of the year is being hosted at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China.

Mickelson fired a sizzling 67 on the 7,143 yard course, while Woods and Watney struggled to salvage a 2-under 70 for the day.

"It was a good round and I was pleased to shoot a 67 ... I didn't make too many big mistakes," said Mickelson, who captured an earlier WGC-CA Championship this year.

Watney escaped more Mickelson damage by eagling the last hole. Woods couldn’t attract any species of birds past the 10th.

Great Britain’s Lee WestwoodLee Westwood climbed up the leader board with a sterling 65, shooting a lights out 7-under to manage a fifth place by himself.

American Ryan Moore stands alone at 4th after shooting a 2-under 70.

The highest finishing host country player, Wen-tang Lin from China, posted a 2 under 70 and shares 8th place with Ernie ElsErnie Els, Martin KaymerMartin Kaymer and Ryo Ishikawa.

Mickelson has slowly crept his way to the top of the leader board over the three days. He started out back five after Day 1, but Watney blistered the course on Day 1 with a 64. On Friday, Lefty posted a 6-under, 66 to shadow the leaders Watney and Woods by one. Now, he has leap in front of the pair with no plans to look back.

Woods looked at the situation PHILisophically.

"Unfortunately I'm two back. Nick and I have got a chance tomorrow, and we are going to have to go out there and obviously play well," pondered the 14 time major championship winner.

"A lot depends on what weather comes in, if it is going to rain or not, and that's one of those adjustment things, that you play it by ear."

Heavens to mergatroid! - as Snaggletooth would say. That means Tiger and Phil are in the last group on Sunday. Will there be fireworks in China? Will it be the ying or the yang? What dynasty will imerge? Will Tiger prevail and get his 17th WGA title out of 31 tries OR will Phil prevail?

Stay tuned.