Mickelson wins BellSouth playoff
DULUTH, Ga. -- Phil Mickelson is headed to Augusta with a win, his usual smile, and the proper mind-set.
Mickelson made a birdie putt from 13 feet on the fourth playoff hole yesterday to win the
"It gives me some momentum to take to Augusta," he said.
After a rocky front nine, shooting a 1-over-par 37, Mickelson had a 32 on the back with four birdies and no bogeys, including a 10-footer on No. 18 to finish at 69 and get into the playoff.
"On the front I hit it horrible, but putted great. The back nine I hit it terrific," said Mickelson, who needed only one putt on six of his first nine holes.
"I don't plan on hitting into trouble next week, but it's nice to know I can recover," he said.
Mickelson, Jose Maria Olazabal, Beem, Brandt Jobe, and Arjun Atwal tied at 8-under 208 after the final round in the rain-shortened 54-hole tournament to set up the five-man playoff.
Jobe and Atwal were eliminated on the first playoff hole and Olazabal was out after the third playoff hole.
"There were probably six to 10 people who could have won this tournament. I don't know how I dodged the bullet," said Mickelson. "I'm looking forward to the Masters."
Mickelson won it on the par 4, 455-yard 17th hole when he hit his drive in the fairway and put his second shot 13 feet from the hole before sinking the putt.
