Sunday, September 27, 2009

Mickelson wins Tour Championship

FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-9 P Mickelson (US) -6 T Woods (US) -5 S O'Hair (US) -4 P Harrington (Ire), K Perry (US)
Selected others: -1 E Els (SA), +1 A Cabrera (Arg) +8 L Donald (GB)


Phil Mickelson smiles during the final round of the Tour Championship
Mickelson's 65 was the lowest round of the day by two shots

Phil Mickelson won the Tour Championship by three shots in Atlanta but it was not enough to prevent Tiger Woods from winning the FedEx Cup.

Mickelson shot a final-round 65 on Sunday to claim victory at East Lake Golf Club on nine under par.

World number one Woods closed with a level par 70 to finish on six under, his second place enough to ensure he ended top of the FedEx Cup standings.

Padraig Harrington's tie for fourth saw him finish sixth in the FedEx Cup.

Woods's victory in the FedEx Cup - which awards points for tournament successes throughout the season - earns him $10m.

He finished with a cumulative total of 3,750 points, well clear of second-placed Mickelson, whose total of 2,920 points included 2,500 for winning the season-ending Tour Championship.

The left-handed American - who carded the lowest round of the day by two shots - started the final round four strokes off the pace but four birdies in seven holes on the front nine saw him leap into contention.

He chipped in from just off the green on the 16th for his fifth birdie and although Woods birdied two of the last four holes it was too little too late.

Sean O'Hair finished third on five under with overnight leader Kenny Perry sharing fourth place with Harrington, the Irishman securing his sixth consecutive top-10 finish after a miserable first seven months of the season.

England's Luke Donald finished the tournament with his first under-par round of the week, his 69 ensuring he finished eight over par and in a tie for 25th.

No comments: