Lefty Leaves Tiger Behind

When Phil Mickelson eventually retires from professional golf, he will probably look back at the first week of September, 2007 as one of his most memorable.

For that was the week he beat Tiger Woods in a head-to-head battle. It was Lefty versus Tiger in the same flight, trading blows (birdies, actually) and hoping the best man wins.

And Mickelson came out on top to triumph in the Deutsche Bank Championship, beating Woods by two shots and rising to first place in the FedEx Cup standings.

Mickelson shot five-under-par 66 in his Labor Day final round at Norton, Massachusetts, as he held of the challenge of the world number one.

With his wrist injury finally healed, Mickelson was able to play his full range of shots without feeling pain, finishing at 16-under-par 268 and $1.26 million in prize money.

Woods closed with 67 to tie for second with Arron Oberholser (69) and Brett Wetterich (70).

For Mickelson, the thrill of beating Tiger was clear, as he said on the PGA Tour website:

“For 10 years I’ve struggled against Tiger. This sure feels great to go head-to-head … and over the last five or six holes when he’s making a run, it was fun to match him with birdies.”

Woods’ putting let him down as he took 32 putts in the final round for his 67. Four eagle chances saw him pick up only three shots and Mickelson shot him down with just 23 putts.

The play-offs move to Chicago next week for the BMW Championship where Mickelson, should he decide to play, would be paired with Woods again for the first two rounds.

On the European Tour, Scotland’s Marc Warren was a popular winner as he triumphed in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Warren beat England’s Simon Wakefield in a play-off after he birdied the second hole with two putts from 90 feet.

The pair had finished on 12-under-par 280 after Warren’s closing 69 and Wakefield’s 70. That was a stroke ahead of Denmark’s Soren Hansen and Martin Erlandsson, of Sweden.


One Response to “Lefty Leaves Tiger Behind”

  1. LEE SCHICK says:

    Hi Andy,

    I guess we all have our favorites in professional golf.

    I have always respected Tiger’s ability. BUT,

    I admire more, the human connection that Phil M. brings to the game.

    If I had the opportunity, I would follow Phil before Tiger.

    Lee in Florida

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