Augusta (Georgia), April 12 (DPA) American golfer Phil Mickelson produced a flawless final round to win his third US Masters green jacket here, his 15-under-par total enough for a three-shot victory over Englishman Lee Westwood.
The left-hander trailed Westwood by one shot at the start of play but recorded five birdies and not a single bogey in his 5-under-par 67 to join a select band of players to win the Masters three times here Sunday.
Westwood carded a 1-under-par 71 to be second on his own on 13-under-par, while American Anthony Kim was one shot further back after a superb final-round 65, 7-under-par.
World No. 1 Tiger Woods had another up and down day but still managed to finish on 11-under-par after a 69, ending level with playing partner KJ Choi.
It was a hugely impressive victory for Mickelson, whose wife and mother have both been battling breast cancer over the past year.
“It feels incredible to win this tournament,” Mickelson said. “It’s the most amazing feeling. I will look back at this day as something very memorable – I will remember it always.
“I needed to make birdies. There were a lot of fireworks (in the groups) ahead of us, so I needed to make birdies and I think the (birdie at the) 12th was the one that made the difference.
“After what we have gone through, to feel this kind of jubilation is incredible.”
Mickelson, the champion in 2004 and 2006, parred the first five holes but a birdie at the eighth took him level with Westwood.
Things turned on the par-three 12th hole when Mickelson drained an 18-footer for birdie and at the next, the par-five 13th, he produced one of the best shots of the week, smashing a brilliant second shot from the pine needles to around four foot.
Though he missed the eagle putt, the birdie took him further clear and he grabbed another two holes later to go three shots clear of Westwood with three to play.
Westwood birdied the 17th hole to reduce the deficit to two shots but Mickelson holed a clutch putt for par and then birdied the last to clinch a hugely popular victory.
For Westwood it was another near miss and the Englishman is still chasing his first Major title but he was hugely satisfied with his week’s efforts.
“There is a tinge of disappointment but it does not last very long,” Westwood said. “It is just a case of persevering and one of these days I will get the grapes.
“It was not that rough a day and it was quite enjoyable out there. Phil hit some great shots – he just played solid. He has been through some hard times and deserved a break.
“I just need to keep on going, someday the door will open for me. I have finished third, third and now second (in Majors).”
Woods ended the tournament with four eagles – the first time anyone has ever done that in the Masters – but was still disappointed not to win a fifth Masters green jacket, even though it was his first event back after five months out following revelations about his private life.
“I finished fourth – it’s not what I wanted,” Woods said. “I wanted to win and as this week went on I played worse. After Friday it wasn’t very good.
“I only enter events to win. I didn’t hit it well enough and made too many mistakes around the green. I’m going to take a little time off and evaluate where I go from here.”
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