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Mickelson triumphs at Pebble Beach to achieve landmark

Phil Mickelson tees off during the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am tournament in California on Sunday. PHOTO: EPA

Phil Mickelson got his season on track on Sunday by closing with a 6-under 66 under surprising sunshine to tie the tournament record at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and win by five shots for the 30th victory of his career.

Mickelson overcame a double bogey with a lost ball early in the round with three birdies in a four-hole stretch along the ocean, turning a tight race into another runaway. He matched the largest margin of victory at this tournament, winning by five shots over Kevin Sutherland.

It was the 11th time in 15 seasons that Mickelson won on the US PGA Tour's "West Coast Swing." He had started his season slowly, renewing criticism of his collapse at the US Open, when he chopped his way to a double bogey on the final hole to lose the title.

Mickelson finished at 20-under 268, tying the tournament record at Pebble Beach set in 1997 by Mark O'Meara. He earned US$990,000, making him the third person in US golf tour history to surpass US$40 million in career earnings.

Sutherland, in the final group for the second time in three weeks, hit over the ninth green and took double bogey to fall out of contention.

He also missed a half-dozen putts inside 8 feet, but his birdie on the 18th for a 71 gave him second place and kept Mickelson from the largest margin of victory since singer Bing Crosby created this tournament in 1937.

"This is exciting," Mickelson said. "I've gotten off to a good start. It gives me momentum, and I can't wait for next week and the upcoming majors. I'm really excited about the year."
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