FORT WORTH (Texas) - PHIL Mickelson coolly sank an 18-foot birdie putt at the last to regain a one-shot lead after a low-scoring third round at the Colonial Invitational on Saturday.

A stroke in front overnight, former champion Mickelson overcame a shaky start with a brilliant display of shot-making on his way to a five-under-par 65.

Seeking his 34th PGA Tour title, the American world number two ended a sweltering day at Colonial Country Club by posting a 12-under total of 198.

'It was a nice way to finish,' Mickelson said in a greenside television interview. 'I was trying to get one more birdie on those last two and I was able to able to get it on 18.

'There might be an advantage to not being in the last group because as I was watching guys making birdies in front of me today, it was a lot more difficult to stay patient.

'I think there is an advantage to being able to go out early and make a run, and that was how I was able to win here in 2000.'

Pampling, three behind overnight, reeled off eight birdies in the first 14 holes to forge two ahead but stumbled with bogeys on 16 and 17 before another birdie at the last put him level with Ames at 11 under.

Ames, who loves playing on shot-makers' courses like Colonial, piled up six birdies in a blemish-free display and narrowly missed a 12-footer at the last to join Mickelson at 12 under.

South African Tim Clark was a further two strokes back in fourth after carding a six-birdie 64.

In control
For much of the day, Texas resident Pampling appeared to be in control of a fluctuating leaderboard.

He covered the front nine in a sizzling five-under 30 and picked up further shots at the 11th and 12th to stretch two ahead.

Pampling also birdied the 14th after hitting his approach to eight feet before surrendering the outright lead to Ames with bogeys on 16 and 17.

Mickelson briefly joined the duo at 10 under with a spectacular birdie at the par-four 14th where he drew his 147-yard second shot from the right fairway bunker to nine feet and holed the putt.

Ames briefly edged ahead by rolling in a 24-footer to birdie the 16th before being caught by Pampling's birdie at the last.

Mickelson again regained a share of the lead with a moment of magic at the 15th. After driving into the left rough, he struck an aggressive approach that ended up just five feet from the flag to set up his sixth birdie of the round.

Although he narrowly missed a birdie attempt from 15 feet at the par-four 17th, Mickelson broke clear of the pack with his 18-footer at the last. -- REUTERS

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