PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The conditions were the toughest Phil Mickelson has faced in eight months, a day of survival when it was important to keep the ball in play and keep big numbers off the scorecard.

That's the kind of language often used at the U.S. Open.

This was only the wet, cold, windy and miserable Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, where patience is tested not because of 6-inch rough but six-hour rounds. The similarity yesterday was Mickelson tied for the lead going into the final round, the first time he's been in that position since last summer at Winged Foot.

All he has to do now is write a better ending, although redemption didn't even cross his mind.

"I don't really think in those terms," Mickelson said. "I would like to get off to a good start this year, and I love playing this tournament, having won it a couple of times. It would be nice to get momentum on the West Coast."

Mickelson made only two small errors at Spyglass Hill and shot a 2-under 70, putting him at 14-under 202. He was tied with Kevin Sutherland, who birdied the last hole at Poppy Hills and also found himself in a familiar spot.

It was the second time in three weeks he birdied the last hole to get into the final round. And it was the second time all the focus was on somebody else. He had Tiger Woods in the group ahead of him at Torrey Pines. Now he gets Mickelson at his side at Pebble Beach.

"That's to be expected," Sutherland said. "I'm playing well right now. I'm shooting scores that I should be shooting given the way I'm playing, so I feel good about tomorrow."

John Mallinger, a 27-year-old rookie, had a 68 at Poppy and was one shot behind.

Jim Furyk had to take on rain that fell sideways in 20 mph gusts at Pebble Beach yesterday, and it was costly. He hit a fairway metal for his second shot on the par-4 10th over the cliffs and took double bogey, and wound up with a 76, six shots behind.

"A tough day to be at Pebble," he said. "I could have done a lot better job. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

More "Crosby" weather was in the forecast for today, and that was OK with Mickelson. While he has started slowly this year after a four-month layoff, he is most pleased with the ease in hitting draws, fade and low, piercing tee shots.

"The key if the weather gets bad is to drive the ball well," he said. "You have to put the ball in place because from the rough or the bunkers, you're just fighting for par the whole time."

Former Kane'ohe resident Dean Wilson (Castle High) struggled to a 1-over 73 at Pebble Beach and is 11 shots behind at 213. Former Honolulu resident Parker McLachlin (Punahou School) shot 73 at Poppy Hills for 218 and missed the cut for the final round by one shot.

ELSEWHERE

Allianz Championships: Champions Tour player of the year Jay Haas shot a 7-under 65 to tie Craig Stadler and Mark James for the second-round lead in the Champions Tour's Allianz Championship at Boca Raton, Fla.

Stadler followed his opening 63 with a 70 to join Haas and James (69) at 11-under 133 on The Old Course at Broken Sound. Morris Hatalsky (67) was a stroke back, and Dana Quigley (65), Brad Bryant (67) and Andy Bean (69) were 9 under.

Australian Ladies Masters: Five-time winner Karrie Webb shot a course-record, 10-under 62 to move into a share of the third-round lead in the ANZ Australian Ladies Masters at Gold Coast, Australia.

Webb, coming off a victory last week in the Women's Australian Open, matched fellow Australian Michelle Ellis (68) at 15-under 201 on the Royal Pines course. South Korea's Shin Ji-yai (66) was 14 under.

Malaysian Open: Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez shot a 3-under 69 to tie Englishman Marcus Higley (70) at 7-under 209 for two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Malaysian Open at Kuala Lumpur.