PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Phil Mickelson and David Toms brought the United States back into contention at the World Cup Saturday, but the Americans still trailed Japan by three shots with one round to play.
After two disappointing days at the Vista Vallarta course, Toms and Mickelson combined to shoot a 15-under 57 in the best-ball format to vault into fourth place after starting the third round tied for 13th.
The Japanese team of Shigeki Maruyama and Toshi Izawa took the lead with a round of 58 that produced a 54-hole total of 30-under 186. Fiji's Vijay Singh and Dinesh Chand were one shot back after firing a 62 while South Africans Tim Clark and Rory Sabbatini were alone in third at 188.
Mickelson and Toms were at 189 after playing the back nine in 9-under 27 with Scotland, England and Canada all at 190 -- setting up the liklihood of a final-round shootout for the title.
Sunday's 18 holes will be played in an alternate-shot format.
"What a round of golf," Toms said. "Phil really got us going on the back nine. He rolled the ball great today and that was what had been missing before today."
Mickelson finished off the day with a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-4 18th.
"When I was out of a hole on the front nine, David would knock it within three feet and make a birdie," Mickelson said. "He made a couple of putts on the front nine that got the round going and then, on the back side, I was able to pull my end of the deal."
"We got back where we expected to be," Toms said. "I think we have a great shot at it."
The United States has won the tournament six of the last 10 years and 27 times overall.
