Lefty Mickelson might finally get it right at US Open

Phil Mickelson of the United States walks up the 18th hole Phil Mickelson during Round Three of the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on June 15, 2013 in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

US Open leader Phil Mickelson goes for his first title after a record five runner-up showings while a host of rivals try to deny him a triumph on his 43rd birthday in Sunday’s final round.

The American left-hander set up a dramatic Father’s Day finish to the year’s second major championship with a level-par 70 third round to top the scoreboard at one-under par 209 for 54 holes over Merion’s challenging 6,996-yard layout.

Three-time Masters champion Mickelson could complete three-quarters of a career Grand Slam with a victory, having also won the 2005 PGA Championship, and ease the sting of second-place US Open showings in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

“I’ve had opportunities in years past, and it has been fun even though it has been heartbreaking to come so close a number of times and let it slide,” Mickelson said.

“But I feel better equipped that I have ever felt heading into the final round of a US Open.”

In a week that saw Mickelson skip two days of practice at Merion so he could fly across the nation and back to see his daughter Amanda’s middle-school graduation, the fan favorite would spark a huge roar of cheers with a wire-to-wire win.

But Hunter Mahan, his US friend and last-group playing partner, is only one stroke off the pace.

Also on level par through three rounds were South African Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters winner, and Steve Stricker, an American who at 46 would become the oldest US Open champion by taking his first major title.

Luke Donald and Justin Rose, each seeking a first major title, open two adrift of Mickelson. Either could become the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin 43 years ago and the first to win a major since Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters.

American Billy Horschel is also at 211 with Australian Jason Day at 212 and American Rickie Fowler on 213.

South Korean-born US amateur Michael Kim was on 214, trying to become the first amateur to win a major since John Goodman took the 1933 US Open.

“I didn’t really know what to expect coming in, honestly, just wanted to make the cut. I thought that would be a pretty good week,” Kim said. “I come in here with not too much expectations and I’m just trying to keep it that way.”

World number one Tiger Woods, 10 strokes off the pace after 54 holes, has endured another frustrating week as the 14-time major champion’s drought since his last major triumph at the 2008 US Open reaches five years.

Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, only one stroke closer, figures a solid round might enable him to have a top-10 finish this week as he looks to next month’s British Open and a title defense at the PGA Championship in August at Oak Hill.