Houston---With another crack at the Masters looming, rising US star Jordan Spieth fired a five-under par 67 on Saturday to grab a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the Houston Open.
Spieth finished with six birdies and one bogey to build a 54-hole total of 14-under 202 and was one stroke in front of Americans Scott Piercy, Johnson Wagner and Austin Cook.
Piercy, who matched the course record with a 63 on Thursday before ballooning to a 74 on Friday, rebounded with a six-under par 66. Wagner also signed for a 66 while Cook carded a two-under 70 to round out the group on 203.
Englishmen Kelvin Day and Paul Casey both shot 68s to head a group on 205, where they were joined by Charles Howell (69) and Russell Henley (68).
Phil Mickelson, whose game appeared to be coming around just in time for a run at a fourth Masters title, endured a tough day that included a double bogey and four back-nine bogeys -- three in a row to end his three-over 75.
He was in a group on 208, six shots off the pace.
But Spieth insisted that the availability of birdies on the Golf Club of Houston course meant his one-shot lead would mean little on Sunday.
"I'm not going to think about being up one, I'm going to think about playing the golf course," said the 21-year-old.
"It's a bunched leaderboard with a lot of guys making birdies. I'm not necessarily the favorite tomorrow just being up one."
If Spieth can hang on for a third US PGA Tour title, it will give him massive momentum heading into the first major of the year at Augusta National next week.
Last year Spieth led by two strokes with 11 holes to play on Sunday at Augusta, but mid-round bogeys opened the door to eventual winner Bubba Watson.
AFP
