DULUTH, Ga., April 6 (UPI) -- Defending U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen overcame erratic play off the tee by one-putting eight straight greens Saturday en route to a 4-under-par 68 and the third-round lead at the BellSouth Classic.
Goosen was at 14-under 202 after 54 holes and will try to hold off 12 players within six shots of the lead to earn his first victory on American soil since last year's U.S. Open.
Phil Mickelson, who shared the second-round lead with Australia's Steve Elkington, shot a 1-under 71 and was alone in second at 12-under in the final tuneup for The Masters. Mickelson had a three-shot lead midway through the round, but suffered a four putt to fall back.
Sweden's Thomas Bjorn posted a 69 and was third at 11-under, one shot ahead of Elkington and Canadian lefthander Mike Weir. Elkington struggled to a 1-over 73.
Goosen led Mickelson by four shots through 15 holes before bogeys at the 16th and 18th cut his advantage in half. He hit just seven of 14 fairways and hit only seven of 18 greens in regulation. But he needed just 22 putts, including 16 over the first 15 holes.
Goosen has struggled on the PGA Tour this year, finishing no better than 14th in five starts. He recorded an eight-stroke win at the Johnnie Walker Classic on the European Tour.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington, a part-time PGA Tour player, shot a 1-over 73 and was tied for sixth with Bob Tway at 9-under.
