Mickelson looks to defend two-stroke lead

English duo Ross Fisher and Paul Casey will go head-to-head with world number two Phil Mickelson in the final round of the HSBC Champions as the American looks to defend a two-stroke lead in Shanghai.

Mickelson, second behind compatriot Kevin Stadler by one shot at the start of today’s play, carded a four-under-par 68 to move to 14-under overall.

That was two better than Fisher, with Ryder Cup star Casey a further stroke adrift.

Fisher shot a third consecutive four-under 68, on this occasion a sublime bogey-free effort at the Sheshan International Golf Club, while Casey’s six-under 66 was equally impressive, with just one dropped shot.

Overnight leader Stadler failed to match his exploits of the previous two rounds and could only manage a 73 to slip to 10-under overall – three strokes clear of a group containing Open champion Padraig Harrington and three-time major winner Vijay Singh.