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Mickelson Wins At Colonial On Final Putt

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 26, 2008

FORT WORTH, Texas - Phil Mickelson made a 9-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory at the Crowne Plaza Invitational over Tim Clark and Rod Pampling, who led by two strokes going to the back nine Sunday.

It was the 34th career victory for Mickelson, who began the final round with a one-stroke lead. But like he did the day before, Mickelson fell behind before regaining the lead on his final putt of the day.

Mickelson had a closing 2-under 68 to finish at 14-under 266. Mickelson won at Colonial in 2000, and has won 11 tournaments multiple times.

After saving par out of a greenside bunker at 188-yard 16th, Pampling still led by a stroke.

But on the ensuing drive at the 382-yard 17th, Pampling (68) hit the ball way right toward a ditch. He had to take a penalty stroke after a drop - though that put his ball where it could be seen rather than buried in heavy rough at the edge of a concrete gully. He managed to get the approach shot into a bunker, then blasted to 4 feet, pushing both arms in the air before tapping in the bogey. That came after Mickelson had two-putted from 28 feet for par.

Mickelson still kept it interesting, pushing his final drive well left into the rough between trees. Pampling put his drive in the center of the fairway.

Lefty calmly hit the shot, then took a couple of steps before jogging out of the trees to see the ball fall near the flag. Pampling left his approach 38 feet away, making his par after Mickelson made the winning putt.

Haas Hangs On To Win 2nd Senior PGA Title

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Jay Haas overcame a shaky putter during a topsy-turvy final round that bordered on the surreal - this was unmercifully stingy Oak Hill after all - to hang on Sunday and win his second Senior PGA Championship in three years.

Haas endured a five-bogey, one-birdie round of 74 to finish the tournament at 7-over 287 and claim the $360,000 first prize.

Bernhard Langer, the third-round leader, finished second, a shot back after posting a 76 that he began with a double-bogey after striking a spectator with his opening tee shot.

Scott Hoch, Joey Sindelar and 1987 U.S. Open-winner Scott Simpson finished tied for third, two shots back.

It was Haas' 11th victory on the Champions Tour, and came after he won the 2006 Senior PGA at Oak Tree. He also becomes the 13th player to win at least two Senior PGA titles.

Haas clinched the win with a 2-foot par putt on No. 18, coming after he and Langer traded bogeys the previous hole.

LPGA: Leta Lindley earned her first career LPGA Tour victory by beating Jeong Jang on the first hole of a playoff to win the Corning (N.Y.) Classic.

Jang made a great shot out of a greenside bunker at No. 18 for a tap-in par before Lindley stepped up and drained a 6-foot putt for birdie.

Lindley's win comes in her 295th career start.

PGA EUROPEAN: Miguel Angel Jimenez won the BMW PGA Championship at Virginia Water, England, on the second playoff hole, sinking a 2-foot birdie to beat Oliver Wilson.

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