Countdown to the Masters 2011 – Day Seven: Mickelson wins at last in 2004
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Welcome to Day Seven of the Today’s Golfer Countdown to The Masters 2011. Every day from February 17th until the big day when the season’s first Major tees off, April 7th, we will be bringing you some of our favourite memorable moments from The Masters since the tournament started in 1934.
For years Phil Mickelson was known as the best player never to win a Major Championship, but he finally got that monkey off his back when he triumphed at Augusta National in 2004.
Lefty had 22 PGA Tour wins to his name when he teed it up at his 47th Major and his aggressive style finally paid off as he birdied five of the last seven holes, including the 18th, to edge South African Ernie Els by a single shot.
Mickelson charged on the back nine and got the patrons roaring with an inward half of 31 on his way to a 69 to follow up his opening three rounds of 72-69-69.
Els eagled 8 and 13 and was three shots clear with five holes to play. But Mickelson continued to play his own way and kept himself in touch with a birdie at 12 before closing the gap with three more at the 13th, 14th and 16th to tie the lead.
With Els warming up for a play-off, Mickelson rolled in an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole to claim his first Green Jacket.
“I think having, in the past 10 years, come close so many times, to have putts made on me in the last holes, to lose by a shot… makes it that much more special, sweeter. And it just feel awesome,” he said afterwards.
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