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Paul Goydos of the U.S. watches his tee shot on the third hole during third round play of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida May 10, 2008. REUTERS/Hans Deryk

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Journeyman Paul Goydos held his nerve in testing conditions to edge one shot clear in the Players Championship third round on Saturday.

A stroke off the pace overnight, Goydos delivered another superb putting display on the slick greens at the TPC at Sawgrass to stay on track for his third PGA Tour title.

The 43-year-old lipped out with a birdie attempt from 14 feet at the last before ending a sweltering day of swirling breezes with a two-under-par 70.

That left him at seven-under 209, one ahead of second-round pace-setter Kenny Perry who returned a 72.

"The greens here are perfect and my caddie has had a good week reading them," Goydos told reporters after needing only 26 putts.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who vied for the lead with playing partner Goydos for much of the round, bogeyed four of the last six holes for a 73 and third place at four under.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson was a further two strokes adrift in a tie for fourth after firing a 71 that featured five birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-four 14th.

"I'm playing well enough to shoot 67 or 68 out here," the American left-hander said. "I don't feel I'm that far off. We've got one more round and I'm starting to play pretty well.

"At least I'm within striking distance. Although I haven't been getting out of the round what I feel I need to or should, I'm playing well. The opportunity to shoot the number tomorrow necessary to win I think is there."

Mickelson, who double-bogeyed the 14th after pushing his tee shot left into water, has set his sights on a fast start in Sunday's final round.

"I'm not in a position where they're going to be thinking about me yet," he said. "I've got to play well for the first 12, 13 holes probably before I can make enough birdies to have them take notice. But at least I'm somewhat there."

(Editing by Ed Osmond)