Mickelson outshines Woods to win Pebble Beach
Phil Mickelson totally upstaged playing partner Tiger Woods while charging past overnight leader Charlie Wi to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in spectacular fashion by two shots on Sunday.
Six strokes behind South Korean Wi going into the final round at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Mickelson fired a flawless eight-under-par 64 to clinch his 40th victory on the US PGA Tour.
The American left-hander took control of the tournament with a stunning outward nine of five-under 31 and holed two monster par putts after the turn on the way to a 17-under total of 269.
"It feels awesome," a beaming Mickelson told the Golf Channel. "Hopefully it's just one of a few this year because I am starting to feel pretty good."
While Mickelson won the pro-am celebrity event for a fourth time, Woods had to settle for joint 15th place after closing with a five-bogey 75 in his bid for a first US PGA Tour win in more than two years.
Wi, hunting a maiden title on the US circuit, dropped four shots in the first six holes but recovered well, a birdie-birdie-birdie finish giving him a 72 and outright second place at 15 under.
Woods had been poised for a last-day charge after shooting a 67 on Saturday but missed several putts from inside six feet to tumble out of contention at the same venue where he won the 2000 US Open by a record 15 shots.
"I didn't hit it as bad as the score indicated but I putted awful," the former world number one said. "As good as I felt on the greens yesterday was as bad as I felt bad today.
"I just could not see my lines, I couldn't get comfortable, I couldn't get the blade to swing. Anything that I tried to do wasn't working and consequently I made a ton of mistakes on the greens."
Mickelson, who had previously won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in 1998, 2005 and 2007, took full advantage of a poor front nine by the pacesetting Wi.
Three strokes ahead of the chasing pack overnight, the Korean made the worst possible start with a four-putt double-bogey on the opening hole.
He also stumbled with a bogey at the tricky par-three fifth after missing the green to the left off the tee, to drop back into a tie for the lead at 12 under.
Mickelson had charged to the top with birdies at the second, fourth and fifth, where he struck a superb mid-iron to just one foot.
He then rammed in a 21-footer to eagle the par-five sixth and vault two strokes clear with Woods, Kevin Streelman and Kevin Na tied for second place.
Out in 31, Mickelson did well to save par at the short 12th, where he rolled in a 30-footer and Woods holed out from a greenside bunker for birdie.
With huge galleries following the two biggest names in U.S.
golf, Mickelson conjured an exquisite bouncing approach to just two feet at the par-four 13th, knocking in the birdie putt to regain a two-shot cushion.
Another birdie followed at the par-five 14th and he finished with yet another at the final hole to seal the win.
As he made his way to the scorer's tent, his wife Amy hugged him and said: "I am so happy for you. Oh my gosh! What a round.
Are you kidding me?"
Comment 1 - 20 of 20
Com on Piecrust, get a leaderboard going for the Accenture Match Play Championship, you did a great job last time, only you had no idea how to pick winners! I am starting to warm towards you, you have changed your attitude somewhat, you seem to be thinking a little clearer these days and agreeing with most of what I have said, I know it takes a little time, some are just not too quick on the uptake but I'm sure you will get there, what is your handicap these days?
Haven't heard a great deal from rtz5, is he crying over a picture of Tiger?
Hey rtz5, Iv'e been in close contact with Tiger's camp from my helicopter and the news isn't good.
Tiger was last seen hitting Sean Foley over the head with a seven iron.
Wonder if that was the same club his wife hit him with?
For me the best part of yesterday was watching Tiger help Romo read his putts. After watching a few of Tigers putts Romo statred calling his own number :)
Must have been a tough day for Rtz5 . How embarrassing.
Never mind tigger theres always next time or may be the time after . I thought you would finish on a 69 .Everyone thinks you are a has been perhaps they are right !
Hey Piecrust: My flight left Heathrow @ 7pm, and I arrived here at 4am UK time. Missed to rubgy & golf.
Nice 42pts for your group yesterday, must be some sandbaggers around of you only came 4th!
rtz5 must be having kittens seeing TW 11 shots worse than 'Lefty' & ending up outside the top 10 again :)
Hi bobby - Although most of the snow was gone from our golf course the greens were rock hard, we had a pick and draw pair stableford betterball, wasn't great but we got out for a game. We managed 42 points but were not in the money, lot's of guys were itching for a game. I suppose you missed the last round at Pebble Beach while you were travelling?
@rtz5: the only 'scratch' that you would know would be the constant attention needed in your nether region.
Well done to 'Lefty', a true gentleman of the game, and one that TW could learn much from.
Now in Nairobbery waiting for my Republic of South Sudan permit; 27C here at the moment :) How did you get on with golf yesterday Piecrust?
Just to add something, at the bottom of the golf page, Yahoo did a poll with several players to choose from to see who would win Pebble Beach. Tiger was the most picked by far with 60% and Phil only got 15%, people are still picking Tiger to win everything he's playing in. Let's be fair to Tiger, he was an incredible player and his achievement's speek for themselves.
Will he be great again?
The jury is still out.
All the bag licking from the commentary and the bum doesn't even make the top 10.
BigRich 7 - Top draw LOL.
rtz5 - What's the point of me doing another prediction board? Your obviously a terrible tipster, you cant even get it right with only one round to go in a tournament. You tell more lies than a politician, the only credit I can give you is that you are consistent, and I don't mean on the golf course.
Do you think Tiger was trying to hard?
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Well done! So pleased for him.
Listen, Piecrust! Can you organise a leaderboard for the Accenture Match Play Championship, let's all have one pick and see if we can get it right, I need a little competition mate, last year was a fun one when I came out tops for 2011, lets see if any of you choppers can make a decent prediction?
At the beginning of this year I tipped Phil would get back into the top 5 before the end of 2012, so far my predictions are on target, I would'nt be surprised if he finishes in the top 3 and at the same time booting Curly out of the top 5, I am a little bias as I happen to be a scratch left hander these days aswell, I have previously played off plus 3 but since I purchased my yacht with my winnings I have gotten very slack and therefor only presently scratch, but I am sure that Piecrust can only dream to be in my shoes!
Can anyone confirm that Bill Murray beat Woods in the final round ?
Jammycritter #2. Hear, hear. A perfect summation. Wood's advisors need to take note.
As for Rtz5, what a risable comment. All we hear from you is Woods, Woods, Woods but when he gets a 24 carat dicking, you're all over Mickelson. Hypocrite !
Born to Run - I watched the entire final round and I don't think there is much I can add to your post, Phil Mickelson was outstanding, as you say his driving and putting where red hot. Very Very Well done Phil.
rtz5 - What a turncoat you are, your man Tiger could not find his game and folded like a pack of cards, this matched with a master class from Phil was obviously a very bitter pill to swallow.
So rtz5 let's just recap, you bang on about Tiger being back to his best and how great Rickie Fowler is.
Well Tiger obviously still has issues and Rickie Fowler has only won a low rated event in Korea.
Then you still have the nuts to have a pop at Rory Mcilroy who is a major champion.
Need I say more?
Great win for Phil, this will remind Tiger of the stern opposition he is up against, he has now lost five times in a row to Phil in the final round of a tournament, when Phil is in this destructive form he is just unstopable and awsome to watch, well done Phil you have shown Tiger and Curly what they are in for this year, BRILLIANT!
What an incredible round from Phil to go grab this title and make everybody sit up and take notice he is back to playing superb golf.There was no wild drives or ugly 3 putts today only a clinic on a tough course.Those par saves on the back nine were stunning really because the old Phil might have found a way to kick this away but not today.He is a true Gentleman and a class act on and off the course.Tiger on the other hand took a couple of steps back and looked lost really in his approch game and on the greens.Its going to be a rough night for him having butchered the course but getting hammered by Phil will sting even worse.He has lost his ability to close and when the heat comes on he looks like a struggling touring Pro and thats still shocking.Its Phils day and I just want to congratulate him and hope he gets a US Open before he hangs up the clubs its the one he wants the most
Mr Phil Mickelson now rhere's a real man, a man the world can respect and look up to. Sponsors please note.
No comment rtz5, I wonder why.
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