Mickelson wins Masters, Woods gets fourth

Mickelson wins Masters, Woods gets fourth

Phil Mickelson (R) of the U.S. is helped into the green jacket by last year's champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina after winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2010.


BEIJING, April 12 -- Phil Mickelson defeated Lee Westwood to win his third Masters title after a dramatic final round on Sunday while Tiger Woods only won fourth, according to U.S, media reports.

Mickelson made improbable pars out of the pines on the ninth and 10th holes, birdied the 12th and 13th -- the latter after a some 200-meter approach from the right pines that may have been the shot of his career -- and coasted home from there to card a 67 and win his third Masters by three strokes over Englishman Lee Westwood (71).

This was Mickelson's fourth major title and first since his victory at Augusta National in 2006. He won the Masters in 2004 and the PGA Championship in 2005.

"To win this tournament, it's the most amazing feeling," said the 39-year-old, whose wife has been battling breast cancer for nearly a year. "This has been a special day. I'll look back on this day as very memorable, something I'll always cherish."

"It has been an emotional year," Mickelson said. "I'm very proud of the fight and struggle she has been through. It has been very difficult and very emotional. To be on the other end and feel the jubilation is incredible."

Tiger Woods, who returned this week after a five-month layoff following his sex scandals, struggled to a final-round 69 and shared fourth with South Korean K.J. Choi on 277, one stroke behind third-place American Anthony Kim.

"As the week went on I hit the ball worse," said Woods, who was playing his first competitive round in 144 days. "I wasn't very good. I had another terrible warm-up. I didn't have it, and it was pretty evident. I hit a hook on 1, a pop-up on 2, a low quacker on 5. It was a tough day.

Asked about when he might enter another tournament, the top-ranked said that he did not know and he would "take a little time off and re-evaluate things."

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. reacts after winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2010.

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. reacts during the 2010 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2010.

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. reacts after winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2010.

Phil Mickelson (L) of the U.S. greets his wife Amy after winning the 2010 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2010.

Tiger Woods of the U.S. reacts during the 2010 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2010.

Tiger Woods of the U.S. competes during the 2010 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2010.
(Reuters)