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Watson with advantage heading into final round of Phoenix Open

Bubba Watson holds a two-shot lead © Getty Images

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Bubba Watson will take a two-shot lead over Kevin Stader heading into the final round of the Phoenix Open.

Watson carded a three-under 68, with Stadler hitting a four-under 67 to stay in contention for the win. Three players remain three shots off the top, with Ryan Moore, Harris English and Hideki Matsuyama all 12-under after the third round.

Watson began his round with two pars, but three birdies on the third, sixth and eight holes saw the American move onto three-under for the round by the turn.

A bogey on the par-4 tenth was the only downfall for in Watson's round, as he registered six straight pars on the back nine, before landing a birdie on the 17th and another par on the final hole to hold the lead.

Stadler enjoyed a fine day at TPC Scottsdale, making six birdies to finish second on the leaderboard and stay close to Watson.

Meanwhile, last year's champion Phil Mickelson ended the third round on three-under following a one-over 73, and admitted to making a mistake on the 16th hole when he threw footballs into the stands.

"I think it's the last time I'm going to do that, because mentally I was thinking about throwing it a couple holes prior," he said. "It took me out of my element. I hit the worst shot imaginable on that 16th hole, and then I followed with four other terrible ones. It was just some of the worst shots imaginable.

"I just lost focus, and I think a lot of it was due to the fact that I have never done something like that on the 16th hole. I thought it was going to be fun, and it kind of took away my focus."

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