Phil Mickelson was staked to a three-point lead when Phil Blackmar made double bogey Saturday on the last hole of the twice-delayed third round of the International tournament.
And, for the first time in the eight-year history of this unique event, the third-round lead really mattered.
Because of a format change, points will be carried forward to Sunday’s final round in the chase for a $234,000 first prize. Previously, points were wiped out after 54 holes and the last-round qualifiers started over from zero.
Blackmar was tied for the lead when he plugged his 8-iron second shot on 18 in the wet sand of a bunker. He came out 40 feet long and three-putted for double bogey, costing him three points under the modified Stableford scoring system.
Under the system, a player gets five points for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, minus-1 for bogey and minus-3 for double bogey or worse.
Mickelson, a 23-year-old lefty, completed three trips over the mile-high Castle Pines Golf Club course with 29 points, 11 of them coming in the third round.
Blackmar, who had three birdies, three bogeys, an eagle and a double bogey, takes 26 points into the final round.
