Phil Mickelson (Stats | Bio) (Stats | Bio) came to Augusta a week early to get a feel for the course. He stood on the practice putting green four hours before his Saturday tee time to get a feel for his stroke. He is hitting 75 percent of the greens and nearly as many fairways.

Mickelson is calm, cool and totally under control in his quest to win his first major championship.

"He's on a mission, no question," said his swing instructor, Rick Smith.

If it looks like Mickelson is making it look easy at Augusta National Golf Club, it's not your imagination. The wildness that has tripped him up in the past has been harnessed and turned into machinelike consistency. Smith says the reality is every bit as good as it looks.

"He's swinging great, thinking good. The balance of his game is there," Smith said. "Everything's good."

Mickelson has contended so often in major championships that you start to lose track of the details. But in none of his 17 career top-10 major finishes has Mickelson ever started the final round out front.

"I feel like I've had so many chances to win, I can't believe that I haven't been in the lead," Mickelson said. "That's interesting to me."

Mickelson has been in the final pairing a few times, but never as the leader.

He trailed Tiger Woods (Stats | Bio) (Stats | Bio) when he played with him in the last group at Augusta in 2001. He trailed Payne Stewart in their U.S. Open duel in 1999 at Pinehurst No. 2. He trailed David Toms (Stats | Bio) in their head-to-head climax in the 2001 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

This time he's tied with Chris DiMarco (Stats | Bio) and two up on Paul Casey (Stats | Bio) , and there are only five other players within five strokes.

Mickelson's goal of saving one shot every round with smart play is paying off. He never got himself into trouble Saturday. The closest he came to bogey was on No. 6, when he made an 18-foot par putt. If anything, his 69 was about the highest score he could have posted after birdie chances at 11, 13, 15 and 17 slipped away as he parred the entire back nine.

"Man, I thought the back side I could get going," he said. "I could have shot the 4-under that I was hoping for, and instead I ended up shooting even. I think the biggest thing for me is that I didn't give any shots away in an effort to make birdies."

"It's just a much easier game keeping it in play," he said. "I wish somebody would have told me this earlier."

Of course, his critics have been telling him that for years. Now he's listening, and his confidence is soaring.

"I think I felt confident this week more than I have any other week - that is, come Sunday, I'll have a chance," he said.

Here it is Sunday, and Mickelson may have his best chance to complete his major mission.

"I do know, if I'm fortunate enough to come through and win that green jacket (today)," Mickelson said, "you'll be seeing my dumb mug here every year for the rest of my life."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.