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Ailing Mickelson holds off Watney

Source: Agencies | March 17, 2009, Tuesday | Print Edition

PHIL Mickelson won the WGC-CA Championship by a shot from fellow American Nick Watney on Sunday, battling dehydration as well as nerves to triumph at Doral in Miami, Florida.

In a head-to-head duel between the two overnight leaders, Watney paid the price for bogeys on 11 and 12 which followed his eagle on the par-five tenth.

Mickelson's three-under 69 allowed him to finish the tournament on 19-under overall and claim his second win of the year and his first at a World Golf Championship event.

Mickelson moved to No. 2 in the world ranking, as close to Tiger Woods as he has ever been. Depending on how Woods fares at Bay Hill, Mickelson might have a chance to go to No. 1 when he plays again.

The left-hander had to receive a drip at a clinic after Saturday's third round due to dehydration and Mickelson said he had been far from well.

"I haven't eaten much in three days, so I really wasn't able to appreciate what others were doing but Nick played some great shots and I was very relieved to come out on top," Mickelson told reporters.

It was an enthralling battle between the two Americans who broke free of the rest of the leaderboard early on.

Once Mickelson had his nose in front, Watney was unable to pull back the shot as both players made par on each of the last six holes.

The 27-year-old Watney, who had made just one bogey all week before his three on Sunday, had an outside chance at birdie on the last but his 29-foot putt fell just inches short.

World No. 1 Woods, in his first strokeplay event since an eight-month layoff following knee surgery, finished at 11-under after his 68 on Sunday, enough to tie for ninth.

Woods has never finished out of the top 10 in 28 WGC starts. "The good news is, I got better each and every day," he said.

American Jim Furyk finished third after a fine back-nine of five-under 31 to finish three shots behind Mickelson.

Indian Jeev Milkha Singh completed a consistent week with a 70 which ensured a fourth place on 14-under.


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