Phil Mickelson just completed his third round in the 109th US Open in 69 shots to put him at an aggregate of two under par.  Currently, he stands six shots back of leader Ricky Barnes - the former amateur standout that has come down off of the quality of play that made him the fourth player in Open history to reach double digits under par. 

Aside from Barnes, only Lucas Glover (-6) and the just-finished Ross Fisher (-3) stand between him and his first US Open championship.

Mickelson acknowledged that fact multiple times in his press conference following the round. 

He also was proud of the way that he played today because he did not think that he played his best round possible.  It was an up-and-down affair for the third time major winner who had a mixture of birdies and bogies in his round.  At his lowest point, Mickelson was at +1 for the championship and twelve shots out of the lead Ricky Barnes held at the time. 

Toward the end of the round, though, it appeared that the fortuntes of the two players had changed.  Mickelson closed with two birdies in his last three holes.  Barnes is three over par since reaching -11 with an eagle at the par 5 fourth hole.

Mickelson admitted that the change in momentum for both golfers may have to do with major championship experience.  After all, Mickelson has won more major championships as Ricky Barnes has played in as a professional.

"I have been in this situation before," Mickelson said.  "I know what it takes to come from behind.  Those guys are clearly at an advantage having the lead, but there are only [three] of them."

Mickelson felt confident that a very strong final round could propel him to the title.  "I am one really good round away," Mickelson told NBC's Mark Rolfing.

Still, he remains cautious about getting too aggressive in pursuit of his maiden Open win.  "There are a lot of birdies out there," Lefty said.  "But there are also bogies and double bogies, too."