Lefty Stays Out Of Trouble And Takes The Lead

Friday, May 11th 2007, 7:34 am

By: News On 6

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Phil Mickelson rarely found the fairway, twice knocked down flags and nearly holed out from the fairway. Despite all those thrills, what kept him in the lead Friday at The Players Championship was a couple of pars.

Just about every player who had at least a share of the lead stumbled in the end, some worse than others.

Mickelson found dry land on the island-green 17th, then saved par from the right rough on the closing hole at TPC Sawgrass for an even-par 72 that gave him a one-shot lead over Nathan Green of Australia.

Peter Lonard took two double bogeys on his back nine, Carl Petterson finished bogey-bogey and Sean O'Hair three-putted the 18th to lose costly shots, leaving them two shots behind and chasing Mickelson, who was happy only with his position.

"It was a day that if I played well, I could have pulled away," Mickelson said after finishing at 5-under 139, the first time he has had the lead at The Players going into the weekend. "I'm half disappointed and half OK."

Tiger Woods tried to fight back, but he did a better job with his words than his clubs.

Woods finally picked up a birdie on his second hole, but he spent most of the sunny afternoon wondering if he would make the cut. He wasn't in the clear until a two-putt birdie on the 16th hole, dry land on the 17th and another par save for a 73, leaving him at 4-over 148 to make it by one stroke.

His best shot was directed at Rory Sabbatini, who said Thursday that the world's No. 1 player looked "as beatable as ever" and that he likes the "new Tiger" who struggles with his swing.

"If I remember the quote correctly, he said he likes the new Tiger," Woods said. "I figure I've won nine of 12 (PGA Tour events), and I've won three times this year -- the same amount he's won in his career. So, I like the new Tiger, as well."

Sabbatini didn't understand all the fuss.

"I never intended it as a dig at Tiger. I basically stated that I want to compete against him," he said. "He is the No. 1 player in the world, and I think I have the ability to get to No. 1 in the world, and that's where I want to contend."

Both of them have their work cut out.

Sabbatini looked like a day-old Tiger by failing to make a birdie. He still was in the mix until he stepped to the 17th tee and deposited two balls in the water -- one from the drop area â€“ on his way to a quadruple-bogey 7 and a 79.

Green was one of the few players who finished strong, dropping only one shot in swirling wind for a 69 to finish at 140 and get into the final group with Mickelson on Saturday.

Lonard (72), O'Hair (69), Pettersson (71) and Rod Pampling (71) were in the group at 141.