Henrik Stenson insists he is ready for the challenge of going head-to-head with Phil Mickelson as he goes in search of his first major title on Open Sunday. The 40-year-old Swede leads Mickelson by a solitary shot heading into the final round at Royal Troon after shooting an impressive three-under-par 68 on day three. Leaderboard The 145th Open Mickelson is five shots clear of Bill Haas in third meaning that, in all likelihood, it will come down to a straight shootout between the top two and Stenson is relishing the prospect. This is a new opportunity, Im playing pretty nicely, he told Sky Sports. I know Phil is not going to back off, hes going to keep on trying - even after were done.Hes a great competitor, one of the finest to play the game in the last 15 years so its going to be a tough one tomorrow [Sunday]. But Im right where I want to be, Im going to stick to my game and hopefully itll be good enough when we add it all up tomorrow.Stenson wasted no time in getting his round up and running on moving day with three birdies in his opening four holes and, after two bogeys at six and eight, made a further two gains on the back nine.As always you want to try and get a few in early, he said. I got off to a flying start, I think I played extremely well the first five holes and there could have been another birdie at the fifth. Claude Harmon III analyses the swing of Stenson and highlights why hes regarded as one of golfs best ball-strikers Then I had a couple of wobbles six and eight, I was in trouble again on 10 but I made a bomb from about 35 or 40 feet I think. That one really kept us in the ball game, it was a huge putt, for sure. Then there were a couple of scrambles before I played a really solid last six or seven holes into the wind.While he could be forgiven for beginning to think about collecting the Claret Jug on Sunday evening, Stenson is refusing to get ahead of himself. Get a Sky Sports Pass Dont miss The Open. Watch the final round for ￡6.99. No contract. Ive got two thirds and a second [at majors], I know what I want to get out of this week but at the same time, its not going to be easy, he added.I need to play my game. Too many thoughts on the outcome is never good, that always gets in the way of things so Im going to try my hardest to stay on that mental plan that I have and hopefully I can put on another good display tomorrow. 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Mingo, who was hospitalized with a bruised lung he sustained in an Aug.VANCOUVER -- The salsa music was cranked up loud in the Vancouver Whitecaps dressing room prior to a training session this week. The players looked relaxed and smiled as they filed out for practice. There was little evidence the teams confidence had been shaken by a pair of subpar performances and its first loss in eight Major League Soccer games. There was even talk about how the Seattle Sounders, Vancouvers Cascadia rival with the best record in MLS, are the right medicine to cure whatever ails the Whitecaps. "Its the perfect test to bounce back," forward Nigel Reo-Coker said about Saturdays game at BC Place Stadium. "Its a great test for the team. No one expects us to win this game. They are the most experienced team, I would say, in the league. For us, as an emerging young team, its a great time for us to prove to people we should be taken seriously as a team." The Whitecaps had a franchise record eight-game unbeaten streak (3-0-5) snapped in a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids last week. Vancouver had also played poorly in a 0-0 draw to the Montreal Impact the previous game. A Vancouver team that had gone six of seven games scoring two or more goals has suddenly had problems putting the ball in the net. "The last couple of games I dont think our team has produced the same amount of opportunities they have in the past," said forward Erik Hurtado. "That is going to affect us scoring goals." Coach Carl Robinson doesnt see any big problems with the Whitecaps game, just areas that need little fixes. "Good teams are able to do the crappy jobs very well," said Robinson. "Weve done that the first part of the season. In the last two games I think we went away from that. "Our transition play needs to be a little bit better. Its the little details that make the big differences. If we get back to that, then everyone will put a smile on their face." Seattle leads the MLS standings with 35 points from a 11-3-2 record. One of those ties came against Vancouver last month. The Sounders have also scored 33 goals, more than any other team in the league. Vancouver is fifth in the Western Conference, 13 points behind Seattle with a 5-3-7 record. Steven Beitashour, who is returning to the Whitecaps lineup after playing for Iran at the World Cup, said the last two results are a minor bump in a long season. "We were on a nice streak," said the 27-year-old right back. "The guys did well during that. "The league is going to have runs, good runs, bad runs. I dont think two is bad at all. Im confident this weekend we will have a good result, then we will start a new winning streak.dddddddddddd" The last time the teams met Seattle salvaged the tie on a late penalty kick after a controversial call. Sounders coach Sigi Schmid doesnt expect things to be any easier in the rematch. "They are going to be a team that is motivated," Schmid said on the Sounders website. "Im sure they havent been happy with their last two games they played, they havent scored any goals. "Coach Robinson will be under them and motivating them. That team is going to be hungry when they play us." One reason the Whitecaps have had problems scoring goals is teams are dropping back defenders to counter Vancouvers speed. Robinson said his team must be smarter with the ball when they have possession. "We have to get back to maintaining possession, dictating possession, but also being a threat in the final third," he said. "We know we have quick players, but have we got players with an understanding how to move (opposition) players out of position? Seattle is a very organized team. They like to get eight, nine men behind the ball. We are going to have to be open and expansive but also a little bit creative in our final third play." Vancouver could also improve its set plays. The Whitecaps have been unable to take advantage of some good deliveries from midfielder Pedro Morales. "I think the service has been there," said Robinson. "Now its the challenge for the players to get in the right position. Its about movement in the box." The Whitecaps have been guilty of giving up leads. Robinson said thats a result of his team still learning how to deal with certain game situations. "The top teams are able to grind out results," he said. "I havent got an experienced core. I have a young group. "When we bend we might break at the moment. Its important we learn from scenarios like that. At the moment we have broken but we will learn form certain things." One player thrilled to be back in the Whitecaps lineup is Medhi Ballouchy. The 31-year-old midfielder from Morocco spent 11 months recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgeries on both knees. During that time he also lost his father to cancer. Ballouchy played 20 minutes against Colorado and called the experience "amazing." "Taking something from a soccer player ... its always hard," he said about his long recovery. "Im just happy (and) at this point dont even want to think about it. "I hope I can stay in this phase for a long time." ' ' '