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February 3, 2013

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Gallacher 3 shots ahead in Dubai

STEPHEN Gallacher shot a 10-under 62 yesterday to grab a three-shot lead at the Dubai Desert Classic and break a three-round scoring record set by American Tiger Woods 12 years ago.

The 111th-ranked Scotsman, who finished second last year in Dubai, is looking for his first European Tour win since 2004. Gallacher holed a bunker shot on 18 for an eagle to finish with a 21-under total of 195. That improved on Woods' tournament mark by a shot and just missed tying the course record of 61 set back in 1994 by South African Ernie Els.

Overnight leader Richard Sterne (66) of South Africa tried to keep pace with the Scotsman, sinking long birdie putts on the eighth and 11 holes and then a 45-footer from the fringe on 15. Dane Thorbjorn Olesen (67) was five shots back in third place.

In Scottsdale, Arizona, Phil Mickelson maintained a four-shot lead with another red-hot display at the Phoenix Open on Friday despite double-bogeying the final hole of his second round with a PGA Tour record in his sights.

Needing a four at the 18th to establish a 36-hole low on the US circuit, Mickelson surprisingly stumbled when his three-wood off the tee ended up in water to the left. After taking a penalty drop, he failed to get up and down from 161 yards.

The American left-hander, who came within a whisker of becoming the sixth player on the PGA Tour to dip under 60 in the first round, had to settle for a 6-under-par 65 and a 17-under total of 125.

"It's disappointing to finish both rounds the way I did," twice Phoenix Open champion Mickelson, who lipped out with a birdie putt from 25 feet on his final hole on Thursday in his bid for a magical 59, said.

"But I've been playing well and I'm having a lot of fun around this golf course. It's a course where you can make a lot of birdies and it's fun, it's fun not to get beat up all the time."

Seeking his 41st PGA Tour title, Mickelson ended another day of dazzling sunshine and ideal scoring conditions at TPC Scottsdale four shots ahead of compatriot Bill Haas, who carded a 64.

FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker (66) and fellow American Keegan Bradley (63) were a further shot back at 12 under.

But the tournament already appears to be Mickelson's to win or lose based on his scintillating form over the first two days.






 

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