Mickelson, Singh share lead for PGA’s BMW event

Associated Press

CARMEL, Ind.

The BMW Championship turned into golf’s version of an All-Star game Saturday with Phil Mickelson making 10 birdies to share the lead with Vijay Singh, and a host of other proven players lined up behind them Saturday at Crooked Stick.

Mickelson shrugged when asked about all the stars on the leaderboard, only because he figured his name wasn’t at the top and there was still work to be done. That was before Singh had his only three-putt of the tournament from about 45 feet on the last hole that made him settle for a 69.

They were at 16-under 200 going into a final round loaded with possibilities.

Rory McIlroy, going for his second straight FedEx Cup playoff win and his PGA Tour-leading fourth of the year, birdied the 18th to salvage an ordinary day with a 69. He was one shot behind with Lee Westwood, a former world No. 1 who made all five of his birdies on the back nine for a 68.

Dustin Johnson, who has finished no worse than fourth in the other two playoff events, had a 67 and was in the group two shots behind that included Adam Scott and Robert Garrigus, who is trying to play his way into the FedEx Cup finale at East Lake in two weeks.

Not to be forgotten is Tiger Woods, who turned his sloppy play around by chipping in from 25 feet on the ninth hole that began a run of four birdies in a five-hole stretch. He had to settle for a 71, ending his streak of six straight rounds in the 60s.

Woods was only three shots behind.

Westwood is playing these FedEx Cup playoffs for the first time, and already he found out what he was missing. Put some of the world’s best players together, and it’s not unusual to see them all at a high level.