Phil Mickelson hits miracle shot to win Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club

From WorldGolf.com News Services

A nine-foot birdie putt at No. 18 gave Phil Mickelson the victory Sunday in the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club, but it was his improbable approach from amid the trees at No. 18 that proved to be the money shot for the world's No. 2-ranked player.

Needing a birdie on the final hole to win, Mickelson lost his tee shot left into the trees and his ball came to rest in heavy rough. With the tournament on the line, "Lefty" reverted to his old gambling form and lofted a pitching wedge from 140 yards under one tree and over another, the ball scraping the branches on its ascent.

The end result was golden.

"You have to take risks to win and I tried to do that," Mickelson told reporters. "I'm as surprised as anybody I was able to make a three from over there. I'm thinking if I make par and get into a playoff, that would be great.

"It wasn't like it was an easy shot, but it came off. It was one of my more memorable ones."

How memorable?

"Probably top five," said Mickelson, noting that he couldn't see the flag through the trees from where he was forced to hit his approach shot on the par-4 finishing hole. "It just came off perfectly."

The great escape allowed Mickelson to close with a 2-under-par 68 and finish at 14-under 266 after four consecutive rounds in the 60s. His total was one shot better than Tim Clark and Rod Pampling, who tied for second at 13-under 267.

Pampling, who owned a two-shot lead on the back nine, said he could only tip his hat to Mickelson for pulling off the spectacular shot.

"You get to expect him to do that," Pampling told reporters. "Those guys play those kind of shots. I thought I was in great position. I was obviously disheartened."

It was the 34th victory of Mickelson's career, including his second at Colonial, and it was also his second win of the season after previously finishing first at the Northern Trust Open in February. Mickelson's first-place check was good for nearly $1.1 million.

Mickelson, who last won at Colonial in 2000, increased his career earnings to more than $49 million. He's the 11th player to win multiple titles in the event at Fort Worth, Texas.

Both Pampling and Clark, who shot a final-round 66, had their chances to beat Mickelson, who entered the final round with a one-stroke lead. Pampling made the turn at 14 under and led Mickelson by two.

"He looked like he was in control," Mickelson said of Pampling. "I was obviously very fortunate to come out on top."

Pampling failed to card a birdie on the back nine and made bogey at No. 17. Clark got into the hunt with consecutive birdies at No. 16 and No. 17 to get to 13 under, but his birdie putt at No. 18 from 14 feet came up short.

"I wasn't trying to force anything," Clark told reporters. "I was playing the course the way I did the first few days. I made some good shots coming in and made a few putts. It was disappointing I left 18 short."

Stephen Ames (70) finished fourth at 11-under 269, and Ben Crane (67) was fifth at 10-under 270. Pat Perez, who had the low round of the day with a 65, was sixth (8-under 272).

May 26, 2008