Mickelson ends five year title drought
American beats Thomas in dramatic play-off Hatton finishes tied for third at Wgc-mexico
After five years, the wait for Phil Mickelson is finally over. And in typical Lefty style he chose to come through after one of the most dramatic final hours in the history of the World Golf Championship events.
The 47-year-old ended the title drought which extended all the way back to the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield when beating fellow Englishman Justin Thomas on the first hole of sudden death.
It turned out to be a rather tame play-off as Thomas, the 24-year-old who was not born when his opponent turned professional, bogeyed the 17th. But by then the Wgc-mexico has witnessed quite enough excitement, highlighted by Thomas holing out from the 18th fairway.
“I can’t put into words what this means,” Mickelson said. “It’s been a long time. To do it against the best players in the world is a thrill, I knew it was going to come soon as I’ve been playing too well. It’s nice to be back in that small winner’s circle, as I haven’t been there in a while.”
Of course, Mickelson will now feature heavily in the Masters betting markets. And so he should. He had recorded three top sixes in the three events before becoming the oldest ever WGC winner and, with a trio of green-jackets to his name, nobody is more suited to Augusta.
“It’s all coming good at exactly the right time,” Mickelson said. “It feels incredible. I believe that more is to come. I feel like I’m starting to play some of my best golf.”
In a tie for third alongside Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello came Tyrrell Hatton. The Englishman missed out a place in the play-off when he bogeyed the last, but the 26-yearold should be proud as he played such a role in the rich theatre.
The fireworks were triggered when Thomas reached his 72nd hole. The world No 3, who won his seventh title in 16 months the previous Sunday at the Honda Classic, flew the flag from 119 yards and with backspin returned it towards the hole. When it dropped the Mexico City crowd went into rapture and Thomas soon realised, performing a very vocal high five with caddie Jimmy Johnson. On 16-under, courtesy of a stunning 62-64, weekend, it seemed that Thomas was about to register back-to-back triumphs for the second time in his short career.
But that did not reckon for Mickelson’s magic or, indeed, Hatton’s heart. The latter joined Thomas with an eagle on the 15th and then Mickelson made it a three-way tie when holing a 20-footer on the 16th. Mickelson believed he had birdied the 17th, but somehow his putt stayed above ground. And after Hatton made his sloppy bogey, when missing the 18th green with a wedge, Mickelson ensured the action would continue.
Again, Mickelson stood there in disbelief on the penultimate green when his 15-footer somehow performed a horse-shoe.
Not to matter. Thomas, who missed the green, could not get upand-down and so, after beating Luke List in a play-off at last month’s Honda Classic, Thomas this time found himself the unlucky loser.