Mickelson Demolishes Field at Bellsouth Classic

An eagle on the 72nd hole was the perfect way to cap off Mickelson’s magical week. Lefty was on fire all week, opening on Thursday with a 63 and following that up with three more stellar rounds – 65-67-65. His opening round 63 earned him a share of the course record and added to his already impressive collection of course records (TPC Scottsdale, TPC River Highlands, Spyglass Hill Golf Club). He also joins David Duval and Davis Love III as the only players to shoot four consecutive rounds in the 60’s at TPC Sugarloaf. This victory marks his 28th career PGA TOUR victory in 314th career professional starts. Lefty’s numbers were off the chart: he averaged a ridiculous 1.594 putts per greens in regulation, of which he hit 88.9% of the time (this number is somewhat misleading because although he technically missed the green, many of his misses made the fringe), and averaged 309.1 yards off the tee. It goes without saying that Phil’s chances next week are looking very good.

Mickelson said Saturday he didn’t want to think about records and instead would focus on completing the win and gaining momentum for his attempt at a second Masters championship in three years, but the record chase moved back into focus after his eagle on No. 13 left him 26 under with six holes to play. He added a birdie on 14 and was on the 15th tee when play was halted. After the 45-minute weather delay, which included a short but heavy rain, cooled Mickelson’s hot streak. He bogeyed No. 15 and had two pars before his dramatic eagle finish.

Mickelson began the day at 21 under and picked up three birdies on the front nine before losing a stroke with a bogey at the par-3 eighth. His tee shot found the sand trap on the right side of the green, and he needed two putts after chipping out to within five feet of the hole. No one from the pack competing for second place made a sustained charge at Mickelson. Jonathan Byrd moved to 15 under with an eagle on the par-5 fourth, but he fell back with a bogey on the next hole; Olazabal was at 14 under after two early birdies, but he suffered a double bogey on No. 9. Retief Goosen climbed from eighth to third with two birdies and an eagle on the front nine. He shot a 66 to finish 14 under.

Mickelson began the back nine with a 10-stroke lead over Byrd. After a birdie on No. 10, Mickelson’s slam-dunk of the day came on No. 13. He smashed his drive on the par-4, 322-yard hole, leaving himself a 4-foot putt for the eagle.

Notably, David Toms, who started the tournament with a 75, was twelve under through the next three days of play. Luke Donald shot a 66 in the fourth round to finish at ten under par. Davis Love III made the cut this week after last weeks tragedy and finished two under.

Pos Player                 To Par  R1  R2  R3  R4  Tot
1   Phil Mickelson         -28     63  65  67  65  260
T2  Jose Maria Olazabal    -15     71  64  69  69  273
T2  Zach Johnson           -15     69  70  64  70  273
T4  J.J. Henry             -14     69  65  72  68  274
T4  Retief Goosen          -14     69  70  69  66  274
6   Jonathan Byrd          -12     69  68  66  73  276
T7  Shane Bertsch          -11     68  69  74  66  277
T7  Richard S. Johnson     -11     73  71  66  67  277
T7  Doug Barron            -11     74  67  65  71  277
T10 Luke Donald            -10     68  70  74  66  278
T10 Charley Hoffman        -10     71  72  69  66  278
T10 Ryuji Imada            -10     71  67  72  68  278
T10 Briny Baird            -10     72  69  68  69  278
T10 Steve Flesch           -10     71  68  67  72  278

Photo Credits: © PGA.