Mickelson takes 2-stroke lead into final

Phil Mickelson made three long birdie putts on the back nine to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Desert Classic in La Quinta, Calif.

Making his first start of the year, the 48-year-old Mickelson shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 on the Stadium Course at PGA West to get to 22-under 194. Adam Hadwin was second after a 65 on the Nicklaus layout.

In Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Tom Lehman rallied to win the PGA Tour Champions’ season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship, taking advantage of David Toms’ closing three-putt bogey.

Lydia Ko shot 30 on the front nine to catch the leaders and stayed bogey-free for a 5-under 66 to share the lead with Eun-Hee Ji, who also shot 66, going into the final round of the LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.