Imada takes 2-shot lead at Farmers

Ryuji Imada, a runner-up at Torrey Pines two years ago, has a much better opportunity this time. He won't be starting the final round 12 shots behind, or trying to catch up to Tiger Woods.

Imada avoided the trouble that caught up with so many other contenders Saturday, making only 1 bogey and escaping with several key pars for a 2-under 70 that gave him a 2-shot lead over Ben Crane and Michael Sim in the Farmers Insurance Open at San Diego.

"The score looks pretty solid, but it was a struggle out there," Imada said.

Imada was at 13-under 203 and will be in the final group with Crane (69) and Sim (70), the 25-year-old Australian playing Torrey Pines for the first time since he was a teenager at the Junior World Championship in 2002.

Phil Mickelson lost a ball in a eucalyptus tree and took double bogey, then rallied for a 70 and was 4 shots behind.

"My short game kept me in it," Mickelson said. "I didn't hit the ball the way I've been hitting it coming in. I don't feel like it's far off. But at least I'm in a position now where a good round tomorrow can get it done."

U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover made double bogey on one of the easiest par 4s, then followed with 4 birdies for a 68, leaving him 3 shots behind going into today.

D.A. Points, a University of Illinois product who shared the lead with Imada after two rounds, kept pace until he chipped over the 14th green and into the hazard, scrambling for a double bogey. He had a 74, although he was still in the mix.

Qatar Masters: England's Paul Casey shot a 6-under 66 for a share of the Qatar Masters lead with Wales' Bradley Dredge at Doha, Qatar. Dredge had a 70 to match Casey at 10-under 206. England's Lee Westwood (70) was a stroke back, and Sweden's Robert Karlsson (70) and Australia's Brett Rumford (73) were 8 under.