Westwood, Singh and Mickelson share lead in Ohio

AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) - Britain's Lee Westwood benefited from faltering finishes by Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson to hold a three-way share of the lead after Saturday's third round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Englishman Westwood, bidding for his second PGA Tour title, birdied the first three holes at a sun-drenched Firestone Country Club on his way to a three-under-par 67.

After dueling for supremacy with Singh and Mickelson over the back nine, Westwood posted an eight-under total of 202.

With two holes remaining, Singh and Mickelson led the pack at nine under but each bogeyed to drop back into a tie for the lead.

Fijian Singh, seeking his 32nd victory on the PGA Tour but his first this season, missed a two-foot par putt at the 17th before carding a 69.

Playing partner Mickelson, in pursuit of his first World Golf Championship (WGC) title, returned a 68 after bogeying the par-four last where he failed to reach the green in two.

Australian Stuart Appleby was alone in fourth at seven under after sinking a five-footer to birdie the 18th for a 67. A further six players were within four shots of the lead.

"Today was a tricky day and I was surprised how good the scoring was," Westwood told reporters after a round featuring five birdies and two bogeys.

"I wanted to come out quick and birdie-birdie-birdie was obviously great. I was pleased with the way I putted and I felt really comfortable. I played pretty solid all day."

Mickelson, the highest-ranked player in the elite field of 80 in the absence of injured world number one Tiger Woods, shrugged off his untidy finish.

'FUN SHOOTOUT'

"I'm excited that I'm tied for the lead going into the final round," the American left-hander said. "I think it'll be a fun shootout. There's four guys right there and then there's a big grouping four shots back.

"I'm starting to really play well and I feel good with the putter. Even when I miss putts now, I've at least hit them solid. I feel really good on the greens."

Singh, who has not won on the PGA Tour since the Arnold Palmer Invitational 17 months ago, is eager to end his title drought.

"It's always important to win a tournament every year, and I haven't won this year," the 45-year-old said. "It's in the back of my head but it's not going to be there tomorrow when I start off.

"I'm going to go out there and focus on the day and see if I can put it up. I think I played solid today, and if I can do this tomorrow, I think I have a chance."

One ahead overnight, Singh made a fast start to the third round with birdies at the second and third, where he chipped in from behind the green, to briefly get to nine under.

However, he slipped back at the fourth and seventh where he failed to reach either green in regulation.

Mickelson, who had bogeyed the first after driving into a fairway bunker, recovered with birdies at the second and eighth to join Singh and Westwood in a three-way share of the lead.

In tricky breezes at Firestone, the trio tussled for first place after the turn before Mickelson gained momentum by reeling off three birdies in a row from the 14th.

The American sank a seven-footer at the par-three 15th and got up and down from the back greenside bunker at the par-five 16th to stay level with Singh at nine under.

When the Fijian missed from short range on the 17th green, Mickelson held the outright lead but he surprisingly misjudged his wedge approach at the last before failing to sink a par putt from eight feet.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)