GOLF : World number two Phil Mickelson survived a nervous final hole to edge out South Africa’s Ernie Els by one shot and win the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions following a thrilling final round in Shanghai.
World number two Phil Mickelson survived a nervous final hole to edge out South Africa’s Ernie Els by one shot and win the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions following a thrilling final round in Shanghai.
With Els in the clubhouse following a nine-under-par 63, the third course record of the day, Mickelson survived finding rough twice on his final hole to claim a second HSBC Champions title in three years and second WGC title of his career following March’s CA Championship success.
Mickelson signed for a final-round three-under 69 to finish at 17-under-par overall.
Fellow three-time major winner Els will be left to rue his only bogey of the day at the 18th after hitting his approach into the water at the front of the green.
Ryan Moore carded a final round 68 to finish two shots off the pace in third, with Rory McIlroy boosting his Race to Dubai bid after a brilliant 63 earned fourth at 14-under-par.
Nick Watney’s final round 71 ensured fifth ahead of another Race to Dubai contender Martin Kaymer (67) and an out-of-sorts Tiger Woods.
The world number one began the final round two shots behind Mickelson in second, but a level par 72 left Woods five adrift and tied for sixth with Kaymer following runner-up finishes on his previous two trips to Shanghai.
On a day Woods uncharacteristically missed several short putts, his round was summed up at the last as he hit through the green and into water to ship a third bogey of the day.
