Phil Mickelson wins fifth Pebble Beach Pro-Am with Paul Casey second
- Published
Mickelson now has 44 wins on the PGA Tour
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (US unless stated) |
|---|
-19: Mickelson; -16: P Casey (Eng); -15: S Stallings; -13: J Day (Aus), S Kim (S Kor) |
Selected others: -9: R Knox (Sco); -8: G McDowell (NI); -4: T Fleetwood (Eng) |
Phil Mickelson won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for a record-equalling fifth time, closing out the tournament when play went into an extra day.
The American, 48, held a three-shot lead with two holes to play when fading light ended play on Sunday.
He birdied the final hole for a 65 to end 19 under, three shots clear of England's Paul Casey.
Mickelson's fifth success at the California course moves him level with compatriot Mark O'Meara.
The win is his 44th on the PGA Tour - 28 years after his first - and is his second success in less than 12 months following his victory at the WGC-Mexico Championship in March.
Victory at Pebble Beach also means Mickelson and compatriot Tiger Woods - both aged over 40 - have both won PGA Tour tournaments more recently than Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.
"There are so many great players that it takes our best to win," Mickelson said. "I just think myself and Tiger are going to have a real good year this year.
"The challenge is playing my best and that's a lot more work off the course, so it's very gratifying.
"To play some of my best golf on a Sunday and be able to catch such a good player in Paul Casey, it means a lot to me."
Lefty's gym work pays dividends
Before his win at the WGC-Mexico, Mickelson had gone almost five years without a PGA Tour win.
Reflecting on his recent form, he said many players decline after turning 40 due to putting problems and a slowing swing speed but believes he has improved both aspects.
"My putting is the best it's been and my swing speed is as fast as it's ever been," added Mickelson, who still hopes to reach 50 PGA Tour wins.
"I had a jump in swing speed in the last year. It's been a lot of work and a long process - nine months of hard work, time in the gym, a lot of work. Days like this make it worthwhile."
Casey, 41, held a three-shot advantage over Mickelson at the start of the final round, but the five-time major winner made up the deficit with three birdies in the front nine and four more after the turn.
Scotland's Russell Knox tied for ninth on nine under, a shot better off than Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.