Sunday, April 11, 2004
GolfWeb.com - The Masters Tournament Mickelson wins Masters
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Phil Mickelson had played in 46 major championships and hadn't won a single one.
So when he finally got his chance, Mickelson made sure it was memorable -- rolling in an 18-footer on the final hole of the Masters Tournament to beat Ernie Els by one shot Sunday.
The putt, which curled in the back of the cup, sent Mickelson leaping into the air, his fists raised in jubilation, and elicited a roar from the crowd that was positively deafening. Els, standing nearby on the putting green, knew instantly what had happened.
"I couldn't believe it hung on," Mickelson said, then caught a glimpse of the replay. "I looked like an idiot (jumping) there."
Mickelson's round Sunday was one of polar opposites. He went into the final round sharing the lead with Chris DiMarco at 6 under but he played the front nine in 38 to let a host of others back into the game.
Mickelson caught fire on the back nine - where the saying that the tournament finally begins on Sunday was never truer - making birdie on five of his last seven holes. The 31 Mickelson threw together on the back nine was the lowest by a winner since Jack Nicklaus shot one better in 1986.
"Phil deserved this one," said Els, who was trying to complete the third leg of the career Grand Slam. "He did what he had to do. He made birdie on 16 -- I could hear that roar. Then he hit it close on 18. I heard it when he made the putt."
Mickelson won the 2004 Masters by one stroke.(AP)
Mickelson shot his third straight 69 on Sunday to finish at 9-under 279 and beat Els, who shot 67, by one stroke. K.J. Choi of South Korea was third after a 69 on Sunday moved him to 6 under.
"I kept saying that this was my day," Mickelson said. "I just kept believing that something good was going to happen."
As he donned the Green Jacket, Mickelson shed something that has weighed heavy on an otherwise standout career. The man who has now won 23 PGA TOUR titles will never again be called the best player never to have claimed a major.
"Having it be such a tough quest, it feels that much better now that it finally happened," Mickelson said.
Els was clearly disappointed. He seized the lead with a 10-foot eagle on the eighth hole and didn't relinquish it until Mickelson made the final birdie. He played the par 5s in 13 under, compared to 5 under for Mickelson, but was just not able to pull through.
"I did what I had to do," he said. "I put the ball in play and gave myself opportunities. I would love to have made some more putts but that's the way it goes. It just didn't work out for me."
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Phil Mickelson had played in 46 major championships and hadn't won a single one.
So when he finally got his chance, Mickelson made sure it was memorable -- rolling in an 18-footer on the final hole of the Masters Tournament to beat Ernie Els by one shot Sunday.
The putt, which curled in the back of the cup, sent Mickelson leaping into the air, his fists raised in jubilation, and elicited a roar from the crowd that was positively deafening. Els, standing nearby on the putting green, knew instantly what had happened.
"I couldn't believe it hung on," Mickelson said, then caught a glimpse of the replay. "I looked like an idiot (jumping) there."
Mickelson's round Sunday was one of polar opposites. He went into the final round sharing the lead with Chris DiMarco at 6 under but he played the front nine in 38 to let a host of others back into the game.
Mickelson caught fire on the back nine - where the saying that the tournament finally begins on Sunday was never truer - making birdie on five of his last seven holes. The 31 Mickelson threw together on the back nine was the lowest by a winner since Jack Nicklaus shot one better in 1986.
"Phil deserved this one," said Els, who was trying to complete the third leg of the career Grand Slam. "He did what he had to do. He made birdie on 16 -- I could hear that roar. Then he hit it close on 18. I heard it when he made the putt."
Mickelson won the 2004 Masters by one stroke.(AP)
Mickelson shot his third straight 69 on Sunday to finish at 9-under 279 and beat Els, who shot 67, by one stroke. K.J. Choi of South Korea was third after a 69 on Sunday moved him to 6 under.
"I kept saying that this was my day," Mickelson said. "I just kept believing that something good was going to happen."
As he donned the Green Jacket, Mickelson shed something that has weighed heavy on an otherwise standout career. The man who has now won 23 PGA TOUR titles will never again be called the best player never to have claimed a major.
"Having it be such a tough quest, it feels that much better now that it finally happened," Mickelson said.
Els was clearly disappointed. He seized the lead with a 10-foot eagle on the eighth hole and didn't relinquish it until Mickelson made the final birdie. He played the par 5s in 13 under, compared to 5 under for Mickelson, but was just not able to pull through.
"I did what I had to do," he said. "I put the ball in play and gave myself opportunities. I would love to have made some more putts but that's the way it goes. It just didn't work out for me."
