By Mark Lamport-Stokes
PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson stayed on track for a second consecutive PGA Tour victory by ending Saturday's third round of the Northern Trust Open in a tie for the lead.
Winner of last week's Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the American left-hander carded a one-under-par 70 in dazzling afternoon sunshine at Riviera Country Club to finish level with compatriot Keegan Bradley (66).
He had chances to regain the outright lead over the closing stretch but narrowly missed an eight-foot birdie putt at the 16th and failed to birdie the par-five 17th after driving into the left rough.
Americans Bryce Molder (66), Jonathan Byrd (69) and Pat Perez (70) were a further stroke back in a tie for third at six under.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Larry Fine)
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