So, there it was. Another sunday at the masters and for the third time in seven years, the left hander won it all. Now, I've never been a fan of Phil, but I do have to hand it to him today. He won it!
The Masters is all about tradition and the roar of the patrons. Yeah, its not the gallery at Augusta, its 'the patrons'. Today was a great day until midway thru the back nine, when it became painfully evident that only one guy was going to be able to contend. Now that being said, Phil has been known to lose against himself on more than one occasion, but that wasn't the case today.
Time and time again, Mickelson proved worthy of the championship. After some early muddling around, it was easy to forget that he was all pars thru 7. Not bad considering everybody else around him was up and down more than a 12-year olds yo-yo. Tiger going +3 thru 5, KJ making a charge, Freddy going birdie-birdie early, Westwood making anything but par. There was craziness all around, but Mickelson was just sailing along, waiting for the moment.
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It really started to take hold on hole #12. Its the shortest and most treacherous hole on the back. Right in the middle of Amen corner, its a par 3 that leaves most players just praying for par. A year ago Mickelson's dream was derailed by a nasty double here. This year, it was the site of where it all started for him. Mickelson makes a great tee shot over the flag and consequently makes the birdie putt to give him not only the lead, but the confidence.
Its that confidence that Mickelson took into the next hole where he pulled off what I believe one of the most gutsy shots I've ever seen. In the pine straw with a tree in front of him, Mickelson decided to go for the 13th in two instead of laying up. Suicide for sure, but glory if he could pull off the shot of the tournament. He did. It was.
Mickelson missed the short eagle putt, but it was no matter. The birdie padded his lead but more importantly pumped his ego. Phil was able to cruise from that point on, making solid shot after solid shot all the way into his third green jacket. At some point, it must have become painfully obvious to everyone out there that this was Phil's tournament. There was to be no Wing Foot today. No left off the hospitality tent. Nope, this was quite simply a great performance by a great player. In fact, it was so good that there was really no drama at the end.
Usually Tiger making an eagle at 15 would have sent chills down the spine of whomever was leading, but today was far different. It was out of reach and besides, Phil had the game on autopilot. It was a cruise to the finish for the 4-time major champ who was greeted by his ailing wife Amy.
So while I may not have a fondness for lefty, he was the right guy to win today.
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