Goosen Surges Into Lead

Retief Goosen has made several long putts at the BellSouth Classic. Phil Mickelson couldn’t make one from three feet--and it cost him the lead.

Goosen shot a four-under-par 68 in the third round Saturday at Duluth, Ga., seizing a two-stroke advantage over Mickelson.

Three days of sun and steady breezes turned the greens rock-hard at the TPC at Sugarloaf.

“If you get on the wrong side of the flag, anything can happen--no matter how good your short game is,” Goosen said.

Mickelson found out how tricky those greens can be, four-putting the 13th. Still, he wasn’t too upset after shooting 71 in the difficult conditions.

“Retief played an incredible round to shoot four under on a day like today,” Mickelson said. “I feel like I’ve played three good, solid rounds. I feel like if I can do one more good, solid round, I should have a good opportunity to win.”

Goosen, whose only victory on American soil came at the U.S. Open last year, was at 14 under with a 202 total.

“I’m pretty happy where I am,” Goosen said. “I’ve not been playing well this week at all. But I’ve been putting great, and that’s why I am where I am.”

Mickelson is gunning for the 21st victory of his career. Only Tiger Woods, who isn’t playing this week, has more among active players.

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Doug Tewell made an eagle on the first hole to help vault him into the lead after the second round of the Legends of Golf at St. Augustine, Fla.

Tewell used a six-iron to sink his second shot from 173 yards on the par-four opening hole. It was the highlight of a round of six-under 66 that left him at nine-under 135.

One stroke behind was his playing partner, Stewart Ginn, who shot 67. Tom Jenkins shot the low round of the day, a 65 that left him tied with Hale Irwin, two strokes back at 137.

The shot of the day, of course, belonged to Tewell, who started the second round tied for eighth place. Moments earlier, he had been adjusting his setup on the driving range. Suddenly, he realized how well the move worked, making eagle to climb six spots on the leader board.

“I equate it to NASCAR,” Tewell said. “The car ran well after I made the adjustment.”