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Mickelson Masters Final Round
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Updated: Sun 4/11/2010 8:47 pm
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April 11, 2010 - I remember the Masters in 1986 when Jack Nicklaus came from behind on the magical Sunday to win another Green Jacket at the age of 46. It was the first memory I have of watching golf on television; I was twelve years old. Reflecting back on that day, it's amazing to think of the impact those final nine holes had on the 12 year old captivated by the drama and excitement of a Masters Sunday.
After enjoying what could arguably be considered one of the most exciting Masters Tournaments in history this week, I wonder is there another 12 year old boy intrigued by the game of golf that will be changed forever by what transpired at Augusta National today. Phil Mickelson, the modern day Arnold Palmer, overcame personal and professional challenges to capture his third Green Jacket, placing him among golf's elite at Augusta National. Only three players in the history of The Masters have won more at Augusta National as Mickelson matches the three titles of Nick Faldo, Sam Snead, Gary Player and Jimmy Demaret. Nicklaus (6), Woods (4) and Palmer (4) are the only players to have experience more success than "Lefty".
 The manner in which Mickelson rose to the top on this Masters Sunday was impressive. Traditionally known for the roller coaster rides he embraces during a round of golf, Mickelson looked more like Nicklaus or Woods than Palmer. Nicklaus and Woods are notorious for winning major championships by plodding along, allowing the competition to lose the championship with mistakes. Mickelson's front nine on Sunday consisted of 8 pars and 1 birdie, which came on the par 5, 8th hole after getting a fortuitous bounce off a tree. The difficult start to the back nine didn't phase the two time Masters Champion as he saved pars on both 10 and 11 before making his second birdie of the day at the par 3, 12th. Birdies on the par 5's, 13 and 15, all but cemented his claim to a 3rd Green Jacket. Pars at 16 and 17 with a exclamation point birdie on the 18th completed one of the finest final rounds ever at Augusta National.
Mickelson had his challengers in K.J. Choi, Anthony Kim and Lee Westwood. Even Woods at one point had to be considered a threat before making a debacle of the par 4, 14th green. During a special broadcast of 101 Sportsline on 101.1 ESPN in St. Louis, Jim Holtgrieve noticed the calm and steady play of K.J. Choi early during his final round. Choi started the day 4 under par through 10 holes. Until he pulled his second shot on the par 5, 13th hole into the back left bunker, leading to a bogey Choi appeared to be the player most likely to put on the Green Jacket. Choi followed up his bogey on 13 with another on the par 4, 14th while Mickelson was making birdie on 12 and 13 to create a four shot differential.
Anthony Kim, playing in just his second Masters tournament posted a Sunday low, 7-under par, 65 to get within a shot of Mickelson at one point during the back nine. Kim got into the mix with birdies on 13 and 14, an eagle at 15 and another birdie at 16 before finishing par-par. Kim's 3rd place finish marks his best finish ever in a major championship.
The best player to have never won a major championship will carry this tag for at least another month and a half. The U.S. Open at Pebble Beach will present another opportunity for the top ranked European player to remove this label, but it will be a long month and a half as Westwood reflects on this week at Augusta National and the opportunity missed. Westwood was beat on this Masters Sunday, he didn't lose the tournament.
Looking to be the first player in the history of the Masters to post four rounds in the 60's, Westwood was battling history and a player possessing a better short game in Mickelson. It was Westwood's inferior short game that ultimately proved to be the difference as Westwood could only manage a 1-under par 71, 3 shy of what was needed to tie Mickelson. Westwood's decision to putt a ball from well off the green at the par 3, 4th hole demonstrated his lack of confidence in his short game. Westwood made bogey after leaving his putt from off the green well short of the hole. 99.9% of professional golfers would have chipped the ball in that same position and one has to think most would get their ball within 15 feet of the hole. Westwood answered back with an excellent birdie at the par 4, 5th hole to only give the shot back at the 9th, making the turn 1-over for the day.
To Westwood's credit, he fought hard on the back nine. While others were generating Augusta roars, Westwood was only able to muster a birdie on the par 5, 13th hole and birdie at the 17th. But he continued to grind and forced Mickelson to finish off the tournament, to which Mickelson appropriately responded in winning his third Green Jacket and fourth major championship.
While Saturday provided for more fireworks, Sunday demonstrated what it takes to win at Augusta. It was great to see legends such as Watson and Couples on the radar while youngsters like Watney and Kim made a run at glory.
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