Phil Mickelson engineered an almost flawless final round to claim a two-shot win at the US$9 million Players Championship on Sunday.
In just his third tournament since sacking longtime instructor Rick Smith to work with Butch Harmon, Mickelson hardly hit a bad shot in a three-under-par 69 in perfect conditions at the Sawgrass TPC.
"As I look back on my career after I stop playing, I think I'll look back on this tournament victory in the same light as the majors," Mickelson said.
Mickelson finished at 11-under 277 and collected US$1.62 million for his first victory at this event and his 31st on the PGA Tour.
"What this tells me is I'm on the right path," Mickelson said. "I've seen progression. It wasn't hit or miss. It's steadily gotten better the more time I've put into it."
Sergio Garcia closed with a 66 to finish alone in second place at nine-under 279. Steward Cink (66) and Jose Maria Olazabal (67) tied for third at 280.
Third-round leader Sean O'Hair was Mickelson's only threat, but O'Hair's hopes drowned at the famous par-three 17th, where he put two balls into the water surrounding the island green and ended up with a quadruple-bogey.
"I missed a putt on 16 and I was not playing for second, so I had to get aggressive," O'Hair said. "I don't know where it landed or by how much it flew by. The adrenaline was pumping and I hit it too good, to be honest."
Mickelson had taken the lead for good at the 10th hole.
A meaningless bogey at the final hole was the only blemish on his card as he improved to second in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods.
O'Hair was two shots back heading to No. 17.
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