DORAL, Fla. " Phil Mickelson chipped in for another birdie and wound up with a 6-under 66 on Friday to build a two-shot lead in the CA Championship, putting him in the last group at Doral for the first time in three years.
The only difference this time will be the company he keeps.
Tiger Woods, his nemesis on the Blue Monster, was 10 shots behind.
Mickelson was at 13-under 131 and will have to settle on Saturday for Buick Invitational winner Nick Watney, who shot a 67 and will join Lefty in the final group.
Rory McIlroy, the 19-year-old from Northern Ireland who is trying to become the youngest PGA Tour winner in history, finished with an eagle and a birdie on two dangerous holes for a 66 and was two shots behind. He was tied with 48-year-old Kenny Perry, who has three children older than McIlroy.
Woods beat Mickelson in an electric final round four years ago at Doral that came down to the last shot. They were paired again in the last group in the third round in 2006, and Woods got the best of him again.
This time, however, Woods looks like just another player in the field.
He again struggled with his distance control, the frustration growing with every shot too long or too short, leaving him few birdie chances. He made some progress, though " a 70, one shot better than the day before. But he was at 3-under 141 and in a tie for 35th in the 80-man field in this World Golf Championship.
Puerto Rico Open
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico " Matt Jones shot a 30 on his back nine and finished with an 8-under 64 to match the course record, giving him a share of the 36-hole lead with fellow Australian Jason Day in the Puerto Rico Open.
Jones tied the course record set last year by Bo Van Pelt in the inaugural event. Day had a 68 in swirling wind and occasional rain to match Jones at 10-under 134 on the Trump International Golf Club along the island's northeast coast.
AT&T Champions Classic
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. " Joey Sindelar shot an 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over two-time winner Tom Purtzer in the AT&T Champions Classic.