Mickelson's big win proves second home is sweet, too
By Associated Press
Published February 7, 2005
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Phil Mickelson finished a triumphant week in his second home, winning the FBR Open by five strokes for his largest margin of victory in a PGA Tour event.
Mickelson struggled with his driver in a final round 3-under 68, but no one mounted a serious challenge Sunday. He never led by less than three strokes over the last 18 holes.
He survived shots deep into the desert and into the water, then capped his round with a 26-foot birdie putt from the fringe on 18 to the cheers of the friendly throng. "We had a lot of fun," he said. "We miss the people here so much."
Afterward, his daughters, 5-year-old Amanda and 3-year-old Sophia, rushed to hug him on the 18th green. "Daddy, there's treats after," the youngest said.
The victory in the $5.2-million event was worth $936,000.
With chants of "A-S-U!" and "Go Lefty!" from the crowd everywhere he went, Mickelson finished at 17-under 267 on the Tournament Players Club course. Scott McCarron and Kevin Na, at 21 the youngest player on the PGA tour, tied for second at 272. McCarron shot his second consecutive 65; Na shot 69. Na played in the final group with Mickelson and faltered before rallying with birdies on the 14th and 17th for his best finish in his two years on the tour.
Steve Flesch, Tim Herron and David Toms finished at 273.
"To have this win in a tournament I value and cherish so much," Mickelson said, "it really means a lot. It's the first time I've won since the Masters, too."
A three-time NCAA champion at Arizona State who lived in Scottsdale until December 2001, Mickelson won the FBR - formerly the Phoenix Open - for the second time. He was 25 when he won in a playoff with another tour youngster, Justin Leonard, in 1996.
After shooting 2-over 73 in the first round, Mickelson was 19 under in the last 54, including an 11-under 60 in Friday's second round, tying the course record with his lowest score in a tour event.
EUROPEAN TOUR: Craig Parry kept saving par. Nick O'Hern kept missing putts.
Parry finally birdied the fourth playoff hole and won the Heineken Classic in Melbourne, Australia, after O'Hern missed a 10-foot putt at Royal Melbourne. Parry's 12-foot putt gave him his first title since the Ford Championship in March and snapped Ernie Els' three-year winning streak at the Heineken. Els bogeyed three holes on the back nine to finish two shots out of the playoff.
Parry closed with 1-under 70 to match O'Hern (71) at 14-under 270.
