Mickelson marches on

Last updated: 3rd February 2013

Phil Mickelson continues to make serene progress at the Phoenix Open, and has a six-shot leading heading into the final round.

The left-hander added a superb seven-under-par 64 in Saturday's third round to take his total to 24 under par leave closest pursuer Brandt Snedeker trailing in his wake.

Snedeker himself posted a more-than-respectable 65, but it was not nearly enough to catch Mickelson, who has been sailing along ever since his scintillating 60 in the opening round.

Mickelson actually started quietly by his own standards, birdying just the first and the fifth in his first five holes, but he picked up another at the 12th before going on another charge, birdying each of the last four holes and very nearly getting a hole-in-one on the par-three 16th.

Mickelson needs a six-under-par 65 to match the PGA Tour 72-hold record total of 254 set by Tommy Armour at the 2003 Valero Texas Open.

He told the Golf Channel: "The first priority is trying to take care of business this week.

"I want to make sure I take care of business first regarding the tournament, and those other records and so forth...try not to worry about those."

A resurgent Padraig Harrington is in third place on 16 under after a best-of-the-day eight-under-par 63, tied with Ryan Moore (65).

The three-time major winner carded an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey.

Troy Matteson follows a shot further back in fifth after a 66, but is nine shots off the pace and more than likely out of the running.