2013 U.S. Open: Phil Mickelson to field: Let's go!

The only player under par (-1), Phil Mickelson enters Sunday's final round at Merion as the favorite, both on the leaderboard and in the gallery. He answered a few questions following his third-round 70 on Saturday:

How would you best describe the way it was out there for you today?

It was a day that I thought you could get you could get under. And the fact that I was 2 over early, I had to be really patient not to force the issue and fight for a lot of pars out there. And take advantage of a few birdie opportunities.

I thought that I played better again than the score dictated, but this is a really fun challenge. It is a hard challenge, but it is a lot of fun. Every shot requires such great focus because the penalty can come up and bite you so quickly here. It's just a very penalizing golf course. But there are birdie holes out here.

You have the lead. You're the only man under par. 18 holes to go to win a U.S. Open. What do you think it's going to be like for you tomorrow with Hunter in the final group?

A lot of fun. Let's go. I can't wait to get back out playing. I feel really good ball striking, I feel good on the greens, and I think that it's going take an under par round tomorrow.

Philly.com has complete coverage of the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club.