Couples Has a 69 to Tie Mickelson : PGA: But at 208, their lead is precarious. There are 13 golfers within four strokes going into final round.

Fred Couples and left-hander Phil Mickelson are tied for the lead after 54 holes of the regular PGA Tour portion of the Mercedes Championships, but they still can’t shake the old fellows.

Mickelson, the leader after 36 holes, birdied the last three par-fives at La Costa on Saturday for a 70 and a 208 total. Couples shot a bogey-free 69 to pull into a tie. That puts them even with Dave Stockton and Bob Murphy of the 50-and-older group.

The close competition and the presence for the first time in nine years of Jack Nicklaus--playing with the seniors--enabled the event, previously known as the Tournament of Champions, to draw a crowd estimated at more than 32,000.

It figures to be as large today because 13 golfers are within four strokes in the regular tour’s tournament. David Edwards, who shot a six-under-par 66 on Saturday, is one shot behind the leaders. At 210 are Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw. Jeff Maggert shot a seven-under 65, the best round of the day, to tie Jay Haas at 211. There are six golfers at 212, including gallery favorite Greg Norman and defending champion Davis Love III.

But Vijay Singh of Fiji, who was with the leaders through 45 holes, had a five-over-par 41 on the back nine to fall out of contention.

Both Mickelson, the 23-year-old who grew up in the San Diego area, and Couples say they will have to play better to win.

“I’m expecting someone to break out with a big round like Maggert and Edwards did today,” Couples said. “I really didn’t think eight under would even be in contention.

“I really think the reason is that everybody took a month off and, like me, didn’t do any practicing.”

Couples started strongly, sinking short birdie putts on the first two holes and parring the rest until birdieing No. 16.

Asked if he thought he could beat the senior winner today, Couples said he didn’t know or care.

“I really don’t even think about the old guys until after the round is over,” Couples said. “I’m just trying to win my division. It would not embarrass me if a senior beat me.

“I think it’s great they are playing so well. I know it must be a great motivator for (Dave) Stockton. He’s been beating his own guys and now he’s got a new goal. I doubt if he’ll post the best score of all, but he could.”

Mickelson said he wasn’t playing well early but finished very well.

“After seven holes I was one over par,” he said. “But I looked at the board and saw I wasn’t out of it. I know I had to put up some birdies. The last three par-fives did the trick.

“But I’m sure of one thing--another 70 won’t win the tournament. I would love to get enough birdies to win this thing. It would be a great way to start the season, especially after not playing or practicing for a month.”

Mickelson, who attended Arizona State, has won three tour events. One was at nearby Torrey Pines, and another at Tucson. Asked if he figured he was better on home courses, he said:

“Torrey Pines was home, but not Tucson. We in the Phoenix area have no love for Tucson.”