Mickelson Takes One-Shot Lead To Back Nine

According to the cliche, the Masters doesn't really begin until the back nine on Sunday.

If that's the case, it began Phil Mickelson at 12-under par, one stroke ahead of Lee Westwood and K.J. Choi on a sunny, suspenseful afternoon at Augusta National.

Westwood, the overnight leader, three-putted the ninth hole to fall out of a tie with Mickelson, who birdied the eighth hole to pull even with the Englishman.

Fred Couples, who has hit the ball beautifully, kept himself in conteintion at 10-under par despite missing a handful of medium-range birdie putts.

And just when it appeared Tiger Woods was out of contention, he eagled the seventh hole then birdied the eighth and ninth holes to get back within three strokes of the leaders.