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Mickelson wins second Masters

(AP)
Updated: 2006-04-10 08:39

Then it was off to Butler Cabin, where Woods slipped the green jacket on Mickelson's shoulders.

"Great playing," Woods told him.

If Woods bothers to watch the highlights, it should look awfully familiar.

The last time Augusta National was overhauled to add length, Woods built a big lead and let an All-Star cast of contenders collapse around him with shots into the woods and the water.

The course was stretched even more for this Masters — at 7,445 yards, the second-longest in major championship history. Mickelson played it impeccably. The longest par putt he had all day — besides the meaningless one on the 18th hole — was the 5-footer he made after a solid bunker shot on the 10th.

"I knew it was going to be a tough day," Mickelson said. "Fred and I kept saying how much fun it was to be in the final group at the Masters. I was sorry to see what happened at 14. I think we would have had a great duel coming down those last four holes."

Mickelson won for the 29th time on the PGA Tour, tying him for 17th on the career list.

And he became the first Masters champion since Sandy Lyle in 1988 to win the week before coming to Augusta. Mickelson captured the BellSouth Classic last week by 13 shots.

This one was closer, but it sure didn't seem that way.

He took a one-shot lead into the final round by making the fewest mistakes Sunday morning, when the rain-delayed third round was completed in cool, mostly calm conditions. Mickelson shot 70 and was at 4-under 212, the highest 54-hole score to lead the Masters since 1989. Couples shot 72, making two birdies on the final four holes to get into the final group.

The possibilities were endless.

Ten players were within three shots of the lead, a list that included Woods and Singh. Ten more were within five shots of Mickelson.