Phil Mickelson set his course for The Masters in Georgia on Sunday as he completed the most dominant victory of his PGA Tour career: a 13-shot triumph in the BellSouth Classic.
Mickelson shrugged off a weather delay to fire a seven-under 65, giving himself a four-round total of 28-under 260.
He was 13 shots in front of Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal and fellow American Zach Johnson.
”It was certainly a fun week. I was very pleased with the way I played, obviously, and I felt like I was playing well at The Players’ Championship,” Mickelson said.
”I had some good practice days but it really means a lot to actually have the scores reflect the way I felt I was playing. In fact, maybe even a little bit lower. So that was nice.”
After carding four birdies and a bogey in 11 holes, Mickelson didn’t let up. He swooped for two eagles on his final six holes, including one on 18 to build up a full head of steam heading into the season’s first Major championship that starts on Thursday at Augusta National.
”I feel as though I’m starting to get really sharp as far as distance control and some of the areas I’ve been working on,” Mickelson said.
”I think those areas are going to be critical next week for a good performance at Augusta, especially given the changes and how difficult it’s playing.”
Mickelson, who earned $954 000 for the win, is one of eight players with multiple victories in this event. He also won in 2000 and joined Jack Nicklaus (1973-74) as the only back-to-back winners.
The win is Mickelson’s first of the season, and he will try to become the first player to win a PGA Tour event and a major the following week since Sandy Lyle won the Greater Greensboro Open and The Masters in 1988.
”I’ve been trying to get ready and get prepared for Masters,” Mickelson said.
”I mean, that’s a tournament that really means a lot and I don’t want to undermine a tournament like this because it’s a really great event and a quality event. I’m very proud to be the champion.” — Sapa-AFP