Holmes atop Leaderboard in Wells Fargo Championship; Mickelson Gets Close after 63


J.B. Holmes posted his third straight under-par round to take the 54-hole lead in the Wells Fargo Championship. The $6.9 million PGA Tour event is taking place at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

Holmes, a 32-year-old Kentuckian whose only two victories came in the FBR Open in Phoenix, carded seven birdies and a bogey on Saturday for a 6-under 66 and a three-day total of 13-under 203, a stroke ahead of 36-hole co-leader Martin Flores (69).

Holmes has been pleased with his play all-around at Quail Hollow. "A good week so far," said Holmes, whose final birdie on the par-4 18th gave him the one-shot lead over Flores.

Two shots behind Holmes is Phil Mickelson, who rebounded from a 75 with a stellar 9-under 63. "I had a good round today, and it feels good, because it's been a rough year for me," said Mickelson, who recorded seven birdies and an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole for a flawless scorecard. "I haven't been healthy early on, and I haven't put it together."

Added the five-time major winner, "I was able to put everything together," he said. "I played well from tee to green. I hit the ball well, put it in play, I hit good iron shots and was able to capitalize on those shots with some good putts, and it feels good because I hadn't really been able to put it all together this year . . . It felt close, hasn't felt far away, and to put it together today, it's nice."

Mickelson is looking forward to seeing what happens on Sunday. "Just to be in contention, and to have a chance at a golf course that I've become so close to over the years, I'm excited about tomorrow's round. My game is starting to feel sharp, and, mentally, I was much more focused throughout the entire round today."

Kevin Kisner is in solo fourth at 10under 206 following a 68, and tied for fifth at 9-under are Jason Bohn (67) and Justin Rose (71).

Martin Kaymer carded a 70 and is in seventh at 208, while another stroke back are Jonathan Byrd (70), Michael Thompson (69) and Geoff Ogilvy (70).

Rory McIlroy, who logged his first PGA Tour victory at Quail Hollow in 2010, fired a 7-under 65 to rise into a tie for 11th at 210 with Mark Wilson (66), Pat Perez (66), Ernie Els (67), Brendon de Jonge (68), Kevin Na (69), Zach Johnson (69), Roberto Castro (69), Jim Furyk (69), Charles Howell III (70) and Angel Cabrera.

Cabrera, who opened with rounds of 66 and 69 and began Saturday sharing the lead with Flores, couldn't get untracked in the third round, carding a lone birdie and four bogeys for a 75.

Defending champion Derek Ernst had a 70 and is tied for 22nd at 5-under heading into the final round.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.