BBC SPORT | Golf | US Open | Tiger's shadow looms large

In almost any other sport, the words of Phil Mickelson would seem extraordinary.

After three rounds of the US Open, golf's world number two lies in joint third place, with just 18 holes between him and a glorious first-ever major.

Yet, after shooting a third round three-under-par 67, Mickelson said: "The last thing on my mind was trying to get in contention to win."

Why is he so gloomy? Two words. Tiger Woods.

Woods keeps rivals at bay

The golfing legend now has such a hold on the sport that his main rivals are refusing to believe they can beat him.

True, Woods is five shots clear of Mickelson, and four clear of second-placed Sergio Garcia. A formidable lead.

But if Mickelson's words are anything to go by, expect the fourth round to provide little in the way of shocks.

Woods' Masters triumph this year proved he is as much a master of mind games as he is of a seven-iron.

Sergio Garcia poses the main threat to Woods

In Augusta, Woods just kept pulling out the necessary shots to keep ahead of the field during the final round.

In truth, it seems the US Open is his to lose, rather than others' to win.

It will be yet another milestone for the player who makes a habit of rewriting history.

Victory would bring him his eighth major title, and he would be the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1972 to win the first two majors of the year.

History is indeed on Woods' side. He has won every major in which he has led at the end of the third day.

Final round tee-off times

Garcia clearly offers the main threat.

His composure, in the face of heckling by the crowd on day three, suggests he could possess the steely grit which will be necessary if he is to become the first European winner of the US Open since Tony Jacklin.

Beyond the Spaniard, it takes a leap of the imagination to picture a winner.

Mickelson appears to have conceded already, and the other players lying at six or seven shots of the lead will, quite simply, have to play the rounds of their lives to win.

"It's dreams," said Woods on Saturday, about the experience of winning the US Open.

And it looks as dreams are the only places where Woods' rivals will be lifting the trophy this year.


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