In amazing half hour, Mickelson's not half bad

Phil Mickelson was nothing short of phenomenal during a 30-minute span that began around cocktail hour on Saturday and stirred this Masters up like a swizzle stick in a gin and tonic.

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Lee Westwood might beg to differ, but Fred Couples says Phil Mickelson is the guy to beat on Sunday as the 74th Masters Tournament winds to a conclusion.

And judging by the intensity of the cheers that greeted the brilliant back-nine stretch that turned him from challenged into a contender, Lefty is the people's choice, as well.

Mickelson was nothing short of phenomenal during a 30-minute span that began around cocktail hour on Saturday and stirred the Masters up like a swizzle stick floating in one of the gin and tonics being sipped on the veranda of the sparkling white antebellum clubhouse.

"He played an extremely great round of golf," marveled Couples, who will start the final round five shots off the pace. ""He really wants to win. He's a phenomenal player."

Saturday was vintage Mickelson, too.

Lee Westwood was threatening to turn the season's first major into a runaway when Lefty went to work -- holing an 8-footer for eagle at the 13th hole, a wedge from 141 yards for another at No. 14 and narrowly missing a third from 87 yards at No. 16 by inches. The cheers echoed through the pines for several minutes.

"I can't believe that ball disappeared and went in (at 14)," Mickelson said. "It was sure fun, especially after eagling 13, and that walk up was awesome."  

When Westwood, who was three groups behind in the day's final pairing, bogeyed No. 11, a five-stroke swing had drawn the two even. Granted, the Englishman takes a one-shot advantage into the final round after Mickelson bogeyed the 18th, but the complexion of the Masters changed completely in that wild and wonderful half hour.

"Glad you were timing it," Westwood observed drolly. "Seemed quicker."

Westwood has been around long enough that he knows to expect the unexpected at a major championship, though. And he understands that he can't control what another player does, either.

"It was probably one of those great days in golf, a major championship," Westwood reflected. "... I was well aware that somebody was making a charge, and I figured it was Phil. That's what major championships are about.  

"They are tough ones to win, because people, great players do great things at major championships."

And with three of the top four players in the world in the final two pairings on Sunday, those things are bound to happen. But Mickelson and Westwood will be in the proverbial catbird seat at 2:40 p.m. ET, which has produced the winner 18 of the last 19 years.

Mickelson's 67 tied Jerry Kelly for Satuday's low round. He had a total of four birdies to go with those two eagles and dropped just three shots to par. Mickelson, who has just one top-10 this season, would later say he played as well as he has in months.

"This is the way I expect to play, but ... I haven't played this way in a long time, and I feel great about my game," Mickelson said. "I'm hitting a lot of good iron shots, driving the ball well, and feel very confident with the putter, even on some treacherous greens, and I've made a bunch of putts."

Contentment off the course may have made the world No. 3 more competitive on the course this week. His wife Amy and their three kids are in Augusta with him -- the first time they've traveled since THE PLAYERS Championship last year. His mother and father, as well as his mother-in-law, are here, too.

Both Amy, normally such a visible presence in Mickelson's gallery, and his mother, Mary, were diagnosed with breast cancer nearly a year ago. He said earlier in the week he doesn't expect his wife to venture out to Augusta National, but clearly going back to the week's rental and having the family there has been integral to his success.

"It takes a lot of the heartache away," Mickelson acknowledged.  

Mickelson rarely leaves the West Coast without at least one PGA TOUR victory, but this year -- with its stops and starts and frequent visits to Houston for Amy's treatment -- has been different.

The last time Lefty went this deep into the season without a win was in 2006, when he won the BellSouth Classic and the Masters in consecutive starts. The last time he came into the Masters without a victory was in 2003.

"I love this tournament more than any other," Mickelson said. "I love Sunday being in contention. Today was a good day, I've been playing well and shot a good number that got me right in it and I'm excited about Sunday."

So are we.