PHIL MICKELSON clinched the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California after a flawless round of golf saw him power to the top of the leaderboard midway through his final round and stretch his lead thereafter.
Mickelson carded a brilliant eight under round of 64 to finish at 17 under par, ahead of his nearest rival Charlie Wi.
The American’s three birdies on the front nine were joined by an eagle at the par-five sixth as he reached the turn in five-under 31 to stand at 14 under for the tournament.
His relentless onslaught continued on the back nine as he completed a bogey-free day and tacked on two more birdies for good measure.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington shot a 70 and finished the tournament tied in sixth spot, six shots behind the winner. Harrington’s weekend was further improved by clinching victory in the Pro-Am portion of the tournament, along with JP McManus.
Tiger Woods, who came into the final round four strokes off the lead, was looking good when he picked up a birdie at the sixth, only for bogeys at seven, eight and nine to hit his chances. Further bogeys at the 14th and 15th saw him fall further back still and he eventually finished the day with a round of 75 to end the tournament tied in 15th spot.
