INDIAN WELLS, Calif. --- K.J. Choi rolled in a 3-foot birdie putt worth $75,000 on the third hole Saturday, giving him the first-day lead in the 26th annual Skins Game.

Phil Mickelson earned $25,000 with a spectacular eagle-3 on the fourth hole, while two-time defending champion Stephen Ames and Skins Game rookie Rocco Mediate were shut out on the first nine holes.

With the foursome halving the final five holes of the front nine, $900,000 of the event's $1 million purse is still alive for today's final nine holes at the Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort.

Choi, making his Skins Game debut, played the best golf of the group with five birdies.

WORLD CUP OF GOLF: In Shenzhen, China, Brendan Jones made a 4-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole, giving Australia 9-under-par 63 and a share of the lead with Spain after the third round of the team event.

Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal, of Spain, who held a four-stroke lead after two rounds, settled for 67. The co-leaders are at 22-under 194.

The American team of Brandt Snedeker and Ben Curtis shot their second consecutive 69 and are tied for sixth place at 202.

LEXUS CUP: In Singapore, Annika Sorenstam chipped in for eagle on the par-5 18th hole to give herself and Suzann Pettersen a 1-up victory over Inbee Park and Eun Hee Ji. The International and Asian teams are tied entering today's closing 12 singles matches at Singapore Island Country Club.

AUSTRALIAN MASTERS: In Melbourne, Australia, Robert Allenby holed a 3-wood shot for a double eagle on the par-5 seventh hole and finished with 5-under 67 for a share of the third-round lead at Huntingdale Golf Club with playing partner Michael Sim, who had 68.