Mayfair takes 2-shot lead entering final round at Quail Hollow

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Billy Mayfair took a two-shot lead into the final round of the Quail Hollow Championship, a position that seemed unlikely when he was racing to the golf course to make his tee time for a Monday qualifier.

Finishing with his first victory in 12 years might be just as difficult.

Mayfair never lost the lead during a mad scramble to catch him Saturday, finishing with two strong pars for a 1-under 71 that gave him the lead over Masters champion Phil Mickelson and Carolina favorite Davis Love III.

Mickelson, in his first start since winning a third green jacket, overcame food poisoning at the start of the week and a few errant shots to put himself in a great position to join a strong list of champions at Quail Hollow.

He birdied the par 5s on the back nine, and escaped with par on the final hole with a two-putt from 60 feet. Mickelson purposely left the flag in the cup on his first putt because he wasn't aiming at the hole, wanting to avoid any chance of the ball running down a slope. He knocked in a 6-footer for par and a 71.

Love birdied three of his last five holes for a 68 and will play in the final group with Mayfair, who finished at 9-under 207.

Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera had a 73 and was in the group at 6 under that included Pebble Beach winner Dustin Johnson (72) and J.J. Henry (71). Jim Furyk, who has already won twice this year, was another stroke back after a 71.

Tres Marias Championship

MORELIA, Mexico - Ai Miyazato moved into position for her third victory of the season, shooting a 2-under 71 to take a one-stroke lead over long-hitting playing partners Michelle Wie and Brittany Lincicome in the Tres Marias Championship.

Miyazato, the Japanese star who won the season-opening events in Thailand and Singapore, had a 13-under 206 total at Tres Marias Country Club.

Wie, a stroke ahead after two rounds, shot a 73, and Lincicome had a 72 in windy conditions on the mountainside course. Wie won her lone LPGA Tour title 5 1/2 months ago in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Ochoa's hometown of Guadalajara.

Ochoa, the top-ranked star retiring after the tournament to raise a family and work on her charity foundation, was sixth at 10 under after a 70. She has won the tournament three times in the last four seasons, finishing at 25 under the last two years.

Mississippi Gulf

Resort Classic

SAUCIER, Miss. - David Frost matched the course record with a 6-under 66 in windy conditions to join Brad Bryant and David Eger atop the leaderboard in the Champions Tour's inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic.

Bryant took a one-stroke lead into the final hole, but closed with a bogey for his second consecutive 68. Eger also shot a 68 to match Frost and Bryant at 8-under 136 on the Fallen Oak Golf Club course. Jay Haas (68) was 6 under, and Tom Kite (68), Joey Sindelar (69), Rod Spittle (69) and Tommy Armour III (69) were at 5 under.

Spanish Open

SEVILLE, Spain - England's Mark Foster shot a 3-under 69 in windy conditions to take a three-shot lead in the Spanish Open.

Foster, winless on the European tour since the 2003 Dunhill Championship, had a 12-under 204 total. Spain's Alvaro Quiros (67) and Carlos del Moral (70) and France's Raphael Jacquelin (71) were tied for second at 9 under.