LA JOLLA, Calif., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Playing in his first tournament since undergoing knee surgery in December, Tiger Woods grabbed the lead Saturday at the Buick Invitational, setting up a head-to-head showdown with rival Phil Mickelson.
Woods continued to look good on his surgically repaired left knee, shooting a 4-under-par 68 that included a chip-in for bogey, a handful of par saves and a birdie scramble from the bleachers at the 18th hole.
The sport's biggest star, Woods has done it all with his Nike clubs, which were the center of attention earlier this month when Mickelson criticized their effectiveness.
Mickelson has since changed his tune, apologizing to Woods and his club manufacturer. He will have another chance Sunday at Torrey Pines, where he will look for his first win since July.
"It is fun, yeah," said Mickelson, the third-ranked player in the world who has collected six of his 21 titles with Woods in the field. "I was thinking on that putt on 18, I would love to get into that last group, absolutely."
Seeking his 35th PGA Tour victory, Woods used his typically spectacular short game to take the lead Saturday, reaching 12-under 204, a stroke better than second-round co-leader Brad Faxon.
Woods won this tournament in 1999 and has been no worse than fifth in five all-time appearances. Mickelson also is a good bet to contend, having won here in 2000 and 2001.
"If you were to pick two guys to play well on this course, I think you would probably pick us two," said Woods, who has been playing Torrey Pines since his junior amateur days.
Mickelson, a native of the San Diego area, jumped from 12th to third with a 3-under 69 that included three early birdies, a double-bogey at the 12th and two late birdies. His 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th put him in the final threesome.
It also gave the fans a treat. They certainly will flock to the South Course on Sunday to follow two of the best players in the world.
"It's going to be mayhem out there," Faxon said. "Your staff of security here is going to be overwhelmed. But I'm looking forward to it."
Alone in second at 13-under 205, Faxon did not want to admit to Woods and Mickelson forming a "dream pairing." He has seven titles of his own and is one of the best putters in the world.
"A dream pairing?" Faxon said. "I think I'll be the judge."
Also in contention is Steven Alker of New Zealand, who was tied for third with Mickelson after finishing a 70 with an eagle.
Fred Couples, Jonathan Kaye, Briny Baird, Carl Pettersson of Sweden and rookie Arron Oberholser were tied for fifth at 207, a stroke ahead of Dennis Paulson. Three others are within five strokes of the lead.
But everyone is looking up at Woods, which is not a good thing. He is 26-2 on the PGA Tour when holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead, losing the 1996 Quad Cities Classic to Ed Fiori and the 2000 Tour Championship to Mickelson.
"Nothing we did in the past affects tomorrow," Faxon said. "That's just what you got to look at. And hopefully that record will be one percentage point worse tomorrow."
The fact that Mickelson was able to chase down Woods in the past could help his confidence.
"You could look at it that way," he said. "Or you could say it's been 2 1/2 years since anybody has reeled him in."
