World number two Phil Mickelson defended his Greater Hartford Open title last night, making a short birdie putt on the final hole to close a brilliant six-under 64 and edge Jonathan Kaye and Davis Love III by one shot.
Mickelson finished with a 14-under 266 total, two shots off the score he posted en route to last year's title. He is the first player to successfully defend his title in the events 50-year history.
Mickelson picked up an eagle from the fairway at the seventh and overcame a bogey at the 17th hole with four birdies on the back nine. He nearly spun his approach at the 18th into the hole before making birdie.
The victory was Mickelson’s second of the season and his 21st PGA Tour title 21 in all. He collected the $720,000 top prize to surpass $21 million dollars in career earnings.
The third-round leader, Kaye had the best chance to force a play-off but badly missed a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th. He tapped in for par and tied Love III for second on 267 - his fourth runner-up finish.
Love III also had a birdie putt to join Mickelson but pulled his 15-footer and settled for the 22nd runner-up finish of his career.
Scott Verplank, who shares the course record of 61 with Mickelson, was fourth on 269, a stroke better than Joel Edwards and Jim Carter. Edwards jumped from 30th to fifth with a 63.
AFP