La Jolla, CA (Best E Casino) - There looked to be a driver in Phil Mickelson's bag Saturday as he got ready for the third round of the U.S. Open.

But is it too late for Lefty?

Mickelson played without a driver in his bag for the first two rounds at tough Torrey Pines, opting to carry a modified three-wood with an 11.5-degree loft and five wedges.

His theory: hitting the fairways and avoiding the penal rough would be more important than bombing drives on the longest course in U.S. Open history.

The tactic backfired on at least one hole in Friday's second round.

At the 599-yard 13th, Mickelson hit his three-wood off the tee and needed three shots to reach the green, eventually two-putting for a par. On the same hole, Tiger Woods hit driver into the fairway and knocked his second shot onto the green with a five-wood, setting up an eagle that turned his day around.

Woods shot a three-under 68 and was one shot off Stuart Appleby's lead. Mickelson had a 75 and was seven strokes back.

Of course, having five wedges in the bag also saved Mickelson several shots on Friday.

After he hit an errant approach shot over the 15th green, Mickelson avoided a double-bogey with a delicate chip from the rough that landed within tap-in range for a bogey.

The shot was classic Mickelson.

And at the par-three third -- which was playing nearly 200 yards in the second round -- Mickelson sent his tee shot over the green and down a steep hill. But he was able to flop a wedge shot up onto the green, 30 feet past the hole.

He rolled in the par-saving putt -- as good a par as anyone has made this week.

Again, classic Mickelson.

"It was a tough day for me today," said Mickelson, who made sure to add how fair he thought the course was set up. "If you play well you can shoot a number, and I didn't hit enough fairways today.

"I've got to hit the balls in the fairway. When I do I'm able to play the course effectively. I'm able to make some birdies, make easy pars. When I don't, it's been very tough."

Mickelson, seeking his first U.S. Open title on a course he grew up playing, will begin his third round just ahead of 12 p.m. California time.