Gainey leads Phoenix, but Mickelson surges

Phil Mickelson thrilled the huge crowd on the par-3 16th with a 30-foot birdie putt Saturday and closed within 4 strokes of leader Tommy Gainey halfway through the frost-delayed Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Mickelson, a former Arizona State star, birdied six of the last 11 holes for a 6-under 65. He was 10 under for two rounds in the event that will end Monday because of long delays Thursday and Friday.

Gainey played nine holes Saturday, finishing off a 65 after shooting a career-best 63 on Friday. Mark Wilson was 13 under, completing a 64.

Slugger White, the PGA Tour's vice president of rules, said he only had to look at the temperature gauge in his car to know that a Monday finish was inevitable. "It's been in the 20s, 25 every morning in my car."

So it was fitting that a guy nicknamed "Two Gloves" had the lead, not that Gainey thinks the extra glove really helps in cold conditions.

"I don't necessarily think it's an advantage. . . . I mean, my hands, even though I had the gloves on, they were still freezing," he said.

Elsewhere: Thomas Bjorn shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Qatar Masters in Doha. . . . Defending champion Yani Tseng shot a 5-under 68 Saturday to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Women's Australian Open in Melbourne.