Phil Mickelson wins 3rd Green Jacket at 2010 Masters
It was de ja vu all over again. After parring the front nine, Phil Mickelson finally propelled his round at Amen Corner, on the devilish par-3 12th over Rae’s Creek. Just as he did in 2004 to win his first green jacket, Phil rolled in a downhill birdie putt with slight left to right break. On the next hole, Phil hit a spectacular 6-iron from the pine needles in between two trees and over the creek to land just 5-feet away for eagle. The shot was unbelievable — high risk, high reward. And, even though he missed the short, sliding putt–Phil separated himself from Lee Westwood (and a charging Anthony Kim, who went birdie-birdie-eagle on 13, 14, 15 and would post -12) by birdieing 13 and 15. Click here for Phil’s interview talking about the shot
Lee Westwood, who, like Phil, had trouble off the tee, couldn’t get much going until the very end, with a nice birdie on 17 to pull within 2 of Phil, which put a little pressure on Phil for the final hole. Hats off to Westwood who is surely the Best Player Who Hasn’t Won a Major (very reminiscent of how Phil Mickelson was, not too long ago).
Phil, however, would not be denied. He birdied the 18th, when the tourney and green jacket were already his. It was an emotional victory for Phil, as his wife Amy and his mom are both battling breast cancer. When Phil walked off the 18th green, he hugged Amy, who had already been crying. The two hugged, and the camera caught a tear trickling down Phil’s face. So poignant. What a memorable victory.
Tiger Woods had a rollercoaster of day, starting off with 3 bogeys on the first 5 holes, but then holing out for eagle on 7 and going birdie-birdie. On the back nine, Tiger had the same ups and downs, with 2 bogeys, 2 birdies, and an eagle. Even though he was spraying shots all over the course, Tiger managed to shoot 69. That was amazing in itself, given how wild his ballstriking was.
Shout out to 16 year old Matteo Manassero who was low amateur at +3. Wow. That is so impressive! Go back to high school, Matteo!
Leaderboard
-16 Phil Mickelson
-13 Lee Westwood
-12 Anthony Kim
-11 Tiger Woods, KJ Choi
-9 Fred Couples
-8 Nick Watney
-7 YE Yang, Hunter Mahan
-5 Ian Poulter, Rickey Barnes
Click here for video highlights
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