SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Spencer Levin remained in control in the Phoenix Open in front of the largest crowd in tournament history, shooting a 3-under 68 on Saturday to take a six-stroke lead into the final round.

The crowd of 173,210 at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course broke the record of 170,802 set in the third round in 2008.

“It was fun for sure, but I was trying to focus, too,” Levin said about the huge crowd and party atmosphere. “You don’t get that too often, all those people cheering.”

Levin, five strokes ahead after the completion of the second round Saturday morning, had four birdies and a bogey to reach 17 under. The bogey on the par-5 15th was his first since the opening hole of the tournament.

“I felt like I played solid,” Levin said. “I felt like I was in control of my ball most of the day, and yeah, I’m pleased. I’ve never had a big lead like that starting the day, and I thought I played well. Overall, I’m pleased about it.”

Webb Simpson was 11 under after a 68. At No. 6 in the world, he’s the highest-ranked player in the field.

“I feel good, but my swing is just not really getting in sync,” Simpson said. “I’m missing the ball left and right. I want to polish that up. But I made a bunch of good swings down the stretch that gave me a lot of confidence.”

Bubba Watson was seven strokes behind Levin after a 67.

“He’s playing so good, you don’t expect him to come back in the field,” Watson said.

Tour rookie John Huh also was 10 under after a 69.

Kyle Stanley was eight strokes back after a 69 as he tries to rebound from a devastating loss. On Sunday at Torrey Pines, he made a triple-bogey 8 on the final hole of regulation and lost to Brandt Snedeker in a playoff.

Jason Dufner, second last year after a playoff loss to Mark Wilson, shot a 68 to join Stanley, Chris Stroud (66), Greg Chalmers (67) and Ben Crane at 9 under.

Fan favorite Phil Mickelson was 8 under after a 67. The former Arizona State star won the tournament in 1996 and 2005.

“I’d like to be further up, but given where I was 27 holes ago, I’m in a really good spot,” Mickelson said. “I’m starting to play some good golf, and I’m starting to get a little bit of momentum. I feel great with the putter.”

AUSTRALIAN LADIES MASTERS: U.S. Open champion So Yeon Ryu shot a 3-under-par 69 to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Australian Ladies Masters in Gold Coast, Australia. Ryu, who shot an extraordinary 11-under 61 in the second round, had a 54-hole total of 20-under 196 at Royal Pines.

Former Fort Wayne resident Amanda Blumenherst shot a third-round 2-under 70 and is tied for 32nd place at 5-under par for the tournament.

Christel Boeljon of the Netherlands shot 68 and was alone in second.

EUROPEAN: In Doha, Qatar, Paul Lawrie recovered from a penalty for dropping his ball on a marker to shoot a 5-under 67, taking a one-shot lead over Nicolas Colsaerts after the second round of the Qatar Masters.

Lawrie took advantage of calmer conditions to make six birdies for an 8-under total of 136. The tournament has been disrupted by wind and shortened to 54 holes.