Phil Mickelson handed Tiger Woods a rare final-round disappointment yesterday when he fired a four-under-par 66 to beat the world number one by two strokes to win the $5 million US Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.
In notching his fourth tournament victory of the year, Mickelson emulated rotund journeyman Ed Fiori as the only golfer to deny Woods a victory when he had either held or shared the lead going into the final round.
Mickelson, playing in the group ahead of Woods, got the fast start he needed with birdies at four of the first nine holes before completing his 66 for a 13-under-par 267. It hoisted Mickelson, who began the day one shot back, two shots clear of Woods, who struggled with his driver for an erratic 69.
Vijay Singh, who had set out tied with Woods at 10 under, played poorly for a 73 to fall into a share of third place with Zimbabwe's Nick Price (67) and South African Ernie Els (69) on 273.
After collecting a check for $900,000 that lifted him to $4,746,457 and second place on the money list behind runaway leader Woods, Mickelson smiled: "I know I have something in common with Ed Fiori and I hope it isn't his figure. We call him the Tiger Slayer and I am very proud because Tiger is such a great front-runner."
It was the second time this year that the elegant left-hander had beaten the world's best golfer down the stretch, following his triumph in the Buick Invitational.
Mickelson's win prompted him to join the exodus of US-based players who have declined to play in the World Championship of Golf event in Valderrama, Spain, which starts on Thursday.
He said he was satisfied to end his season with a Tour Championship victory. "Tiger has had a great year and it was important for me to have the best year apart from him," he said. "It feels special and that is why I wanted to finish second in the money race."
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