Mickelson Rallies to Win in Shanghai

Phil Mickelson won the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions event Sunday in Shanghai, rallying with a spectacular finish after almost being run down from behind.

And it was not by Tiger Woods.

Woods was never a factor in the final round, dropping six shots back after the front nine.

Instead it was Ernie Els who pushed Mickelson to the finish.

It was a wild conclusion.

Mickelson made an 18-footer to save par on the 16th after he had whiffed on a flop shot. He then holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 17th and managed par on the 18th to finish a 3-under 69.

Els had a one-shot lead going into the final hole but found water on the final hole and made bogey.

Mickelson finished at 17-under 271 and earned $1.2 million in winning his second World Golf Championship of the year. It was the first time he won a tournament while playing in the final group with Woods.

It was the third time in his last four tries that Woods played in the final group without winning. This time he shot 72 to finish tied for sixth

Els settled for a share of the course record at Sheshan International, a 9-under 63 that put him 16 under and one behind Mickelson.

Ryan Moore shot 68 and finished alone in third, which should be enough to move him into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

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Tiger Woods of the United States acknowledges the spectators after he finished the 9th hole during the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Woods finished at 12-under. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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Jyoti Randhawa of India hits the ball from the water hazard at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Phil Mickelson of the U.S. won the tournament with 17 under. Randhawa finished the Third place with the score of 8 under. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Phil Mickelson of the U.S., right, reacts as he putts close to the tin cup at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Mickelson won the tournament. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tiger Woods of the United States drops the ball after his ball went into water hazard at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Phil Mickelson of the U.S. won the tournament with 17 under. Woods finished 12 under. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. flashes his thumbs up to spectators at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Mickelson won the tournament as he finished 17 under. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. takes off his cap to greet spectators as he wins HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Mickelson finished at 17-under 271. (AP Photo)

SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Phil Mickelson of the USA poses with the trophy after his one-stroke victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Mickelson

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Phil Mickelson of the USA watches his tee-shot on the 13th hole as Tiger Woods of the USA looks on during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Mickelson;Tiger Woods

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Tiger Woods of the USA waits with Steve Williams on the 16th hole during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tiger Woods;Steve Williams

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Tiger Woods of the USA waves to the crowd during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tiger Woods

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

11-08-2009 @ 7:43AM

gushowie said...

Way to go Phil. You were just as gracious in winning as Tiger was petulant in not winning.

11-08-2009 @ 7:56AM

Vicvod said...

Phil is total class!

11-08-2009 @ 8:57AM

nickcherryl said...

This was great, Mick Elliott what will your buddy the race baiter Kevin Blackstone have to say about it????

11-08-2009 @ 10:19AM

golfjunkiesr said...

Good job Phil !!

11-08-2009 @ 10:23AM

patrowean said...

Way to go Phil, it was good to see the "old" Phil back in action. Congratulations!

11-08-2009 @ 10:58AM

moffitt0912 said...

A great showing by a great champion. He is engaging with the fans and his popularity is a reflection of that!

11-08-2009 @ 1:08PM

krumpgirl said...

I must also add my congratulations to Phil Mickelson on his victory! A great player, champion and humanitarian. I'm a huge Phil fan and watch him play everytime I have the chance, his game, his tenacity and his fearlessness draws you into the experience of watching him play at every opportunity. It's unfortunate that while some of you congratulate Phil, you take the opportunity to take a swipe a Tiger...."Tiger was petulant in not winning".....Low blow and totally untrue. Why tarnish Phil's victory by taking a shot at Tiger?

11-08-2009 @ 5:40PM

It wasn't a low blow at all. It was reality. Tiger slammed his club down more than once and barely acknowledged the crowd at the end. The announcers even mentioned that he seemed to have been bothered by the crowd during the tournament. Phil, on the other hand, apparently was very involved with the fans and in trying to promote the game in China.

11-08-2009 @ 6:29PM

bill said...

WITH TIGER , LIKE OBAMA , IT IS ALL ABOUT
THEMSELVES ..IE THE "I" SYNDROME. PHIL , ARNIE ,
JACK , ELS AND OTHERS PROMOTE THE GAME AND SERVE
AS GREAT ROLE MODELS AND AMBASSADORS FOR THE SPORT.IT IS CERTAINLY BOTHERSOME TO SEE A TOP NAME SUPERSTAR THROW HIS CLUBS AND CURSE AND MAKE
REMARKS ABOUT THE FANS. OH WELL ...

11-08-2009 @ 6:51PM

fitter53 said...

way to go Phil that one was for Amy and the kidsIshot a 98 four 18 at Van Patten in Saratoga N.Y.

11-08-2009 @ 7:05PM

DEBBIE said...

CONGRATS,PHIL,,,,LUV THAT HAIR,WOOOOHOOO,WATCHING YOU IS AMAZING!

11-08-2009 @ 10:43PM

anne-marie said...

Bout time you won whitey.........give us some comp pillsbury

11-08-2009 @ 10:49PM

ctucker9 said...

Dont even mention our President concerning Tiger jealous white boy , your boy lost....is losing...but finally beat number one...revel in it pasty.....the gap is shrinking

11-09-2009 @ 12:39AM

gushowie....you're just a Tiger Hater thru and thru, when it comes to Tiger he can do no right. You refuse to give the best golfer in the game any recognition or credit for anything that he does. You choose to hate, malign and pick apart. You continue to harp on and whine about the same pettiness over and over, never acknowledging his greatness which can't be denied! Just for the record, Tiger has done more to promote the game of golf around the WORLD than any other golfer in history.

11-09-2009 @ 2:03AM

Amen...gushow voted for McCain

11-09-2009 @ 7:11AM

My goodness, you are a bitter person. No, I don't like Tiger. I don't deny that he is a great golfer but he does not exhibit great behavior when playing. When you write "Just for the record Tiger has done more to promote the game of golf around the WORLD than any other golfer in history."- maybe, I don't know about that. Things (i.e. media coverage) are different now than from the Arnie/Jack days. Please calm down about this. It's not worth it.

11-09-2009 @ 9:16AM

GolferBuzz said...

Guys...chill out. I certainly can understand the passion people have in support of their favorite golfers. But...observing everyones comments...I think it is all in the different perspectives people have about their individual favorite. There's about 10 really great golfers pushing the game at this time and it is only great competition to watch. "krumpgirl" although yo and I have had our differences...I think a lot of your recent comments have been fair and valid. Some I differ with...but, I respect the fact you are so passionate in your support for Tiger. This coming season looks to be great theater for some Tiger/Phil matchups!

11-09-2009 @ 8:53PM

George said...

Eldrick has not "done more to promote Golf than anyone in history". Golf courses are closing by the dozens each day,all he does is promote television revenue,get your facts straight Krump.

11-09-2009 @ 9:01PM

APO SR said...

I wished I could of seen the whole game go down, but at the time I was watching, Ernie, Tiger, Phil, Ryan all had a chance for the gold on the last day. So my hat is off to Phil for a great show and Tiger for his sportsmanship. This lost for Tiger will be him more fired up for the next battle.