Brilliant Phil Mickelson atop leaderboard heading into final round at PGA Championship

By Ben Morse, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 7:36 PM EDT, Sat May 22, 2021
Phil Mickelson holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament.
Phil Mickelson holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament.
David J. Phillip/AP
Phil Mickelson celebrates after winning the final round at the PGA Championship golf tournament.
Phil Mickelson celebrates after winning the final round at the PGA Championship golf tournament.
David J. Phillip/AP
Phil Mickelson hits from the 11th hole during the final round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on Sunday, May 23.
Phil Mickelson hits from the 11th hole during the final round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on Sunday, May 23.
Matt York/AP
Branden Grace looks for his golf ball with Christiaan Bezuidenhout and caddies during the final round.
Branden Grace looks for his golf ball with Christiaan Bezuidenhout and caddies during the final round.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy plays from a sand area on the 17th green.
Rory McIlroy plays from a sand area on the 17th green.
Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
Kevin Streelman lines up a putt on the third green.
Kevin Streelman lines up a putt on the third green.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Matt Wallace plays his shot from the seventh tee.
Matt Wallace plays his shot from the seventh tee.
Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
Joaquin Niemann plays a second shot from a sand area on the second hole.
Joaquin Niemann plays a second shot from a sand area on the second hole.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Phil Mickelson hits his second shot on the 16th hole surrounded by spectators on Saturday, May 22.
Phil Mickelson hits his second shot on the 16th hole surrounded by spectators on Saturday, May 22.
David J. Phillip/AP
Harry Higgs reacts to a shot on the 17th hole.
Harry Higgs reacts to a shot on the 17th hole.
Stacy Revere/Getty Images
A fan watches from a boat near the fourth hole of the course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
A fan watches from a boat near the fourth hole of the course on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Gary Woodland watches his shot on the second hole.
Gary Woodland watches his shot on the second hole.
David J. Phillip/AP
Fans walk to the first hole during the third round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on May 22.
Fans walk to the first hole during the third round at the PGA Championship golf tournament on May 22.
Matt York/AP
Richy Werenski plays a shot from the sand.
Richy Werenski plays a shot from the sand.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Phil Mickelson takes his tee shot on the 16th tee.
Phil Mickelson takes his tee shot on the 16th tee.
David J. Phillip/AP
Louis Oosthuizen plays his shot from the eighth tee during the second round of the 2021 PGA Championship on Friday, May 21.
Louis Oosthuizen plays his shot from the eighth tee during the second round of the 2021 PGA Championship on Friday, May 21.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Fans watch a golfer play the seventh green during the second round.
Fans watch a golfer play the seventh green during the second round.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Phil Mickelson plays his shot from the 15th tee.
Phil Mickelson plays his shot from the 15th tee.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Tony Finau, right, gets a ruling on the 16th hole.
Tony Finau, right, gets a ruling on the 16th hole.
Chris Carlson/AP
Branden Grace lines up a putt on the third hole.
Branden Grace lines up a putt on the third hole.
Chris Carlson/AP
Jason Day jumps up to see over a bunker before taking his shot on the 13th hole.
Jason Day jumps up to see over a bunker before taking his shot on the 13th hole.
David J. Phillip/AP
Joaquin Niemann hits his tee shot on the seventh tee.
Joaquin Niemann hits his tee shot on the seventh tee.
Chris Carlson/AP
Ian Poulter and Sungjae Im read their yardage on the second hole.
Ian Poulter and Sungjae Im read their yardage on the second hole.
Darren Carroll/PGA of America/Getty Images
Brendan Steele hits his third shot on the 15th hole.
Brendan Steele hits his third shot on the 15th hole.
Darren Carroll/PGA of America/Getty Images
Webb Simpson greets fans as the walks to the second fairway during the first round on Thursday, May 20.
Webb Simpson greets fans as the walks to the second fairway during the first round on Thursday, May 20.
David J. Phillip/AP
Brian Gay hits out of the rough on the 16th hole.
Brian Gay hits out of the rough on the 16th hole.
Darren Carroll/PGA of America/Getty Images
Wyndham Clark points to the direction of an errant tee shot on the eighth hole.
Wyndham Clark points to the direction of an errant tee shot on the eighth hole.
Matt York/AP
Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama looks on near the 17th green during the first round.
Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama looks on near the 17th green during the first round.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Tim Pearce plays his shot off the 17th tee.
Tim Pearce plays his shot off the 17th tee.
Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/Getty Images
Adam Scott walks up the third fairway during the first round.
Adam Scott walks up the third fairway during the first round.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Garrick Higgo hits his shot on the practice range ahead of the first round of the 2021 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course of Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
Garrick Higgo hits his shot on the practice range ahead of the first round of the 2021 PGA Championship at the Ocean Course of Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
Darren Carroll/PGA of America/Getty Images
Dustin Johnson signs autographs for fans on the 18th hole during practice.
Dustin Johnson signs autographs for fans on the 18th hole during practice.
Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR/Getty Images
An alligator crosses the sixth green during a practice round prior to the major.
An alligator crosses the sixth green during a practice round prior to the major.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Fans walk during a practice round prior to the 2021 PGA Championship.
Fans walk during a practice round prior to the 2021 PGA Championship.
Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/Getty Images
In pictures: The 2021 PGA Championship
CNN  — 

He might be one of the older statesman at the PGA Championship, but Phil Mickelson is showing he’s no slouch.

The five-time major winner produced some stunning golf on Saturday at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course before dropping some late shots to finish on seven-under and atop the leaderboard of the major with a one-shot lead.

But his competitors aren’t far behind. Two-time winner Brooks Koepka was slow and steady in his movement up to just a shot behind Mickelson.

Heading into the final day of the PGA Championship, it looks to be a nervy one with numerous big names in contention, with 2010 Open winner Louis Oosthuizen just a shot behind Koepka.

READ: ‘Are you not entertained?’: Joel Dahmen ask famous ‘Gladiator’ question during PGA Championship

Mickelson hits the ball on the 11th hole during the third round at the PGA Championship.
Mickelson hits the ball on the 11th hole during the third round at the PGA Championship.
Matt York/AP

Hot start, sloppy finish

Playing in the final pairing of the day with South African Oosthuizen, Mickelson started like a house on fire.

His driving was accurate and his short game was deadly as ever; a fearful combination for any of his competitors.

In his opening 10 holes of his third round, Mickelson – adorned head to toe in black – collected five birdies, at one point, racing into a five-shot advantage.

However, as the round progresse