AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Even sweeter than Phil Mickelson slipping into another green jacket was seeing his wife waiting for him behind the 18th green Sunday at Augusta National with tears streaming down her face.
She had not been at a golf tournament since being diagnosed with breast cancer 11 months ago.
He had not looked the same ever since.
A shattered world seemed at peace in the fading sunlight Sunday at the Masters, where Mickelson made one last birdie for a 5-under 67 and a three-shot victory over Lee Westwood.
The conclusion was far more emotional than anyone expected.
"To win this tournament, it's the most amazing feeling," Mickelson said from Butler Cabin. "This has been a special day. I'll look back on this day as very memorable, something I'll always cherish".
Determined to win one for his family, Mickelson made two remarkable par saves from the trees, then made a gutsy play off the pine straw and over Rae's Creek on the par-5 13th hole. It was the kind of shot that has brought Mickelson so much criticism for taking too many risks. This time, nothing was going to stop him.
His final birdie only mattered on the scorecard, 16-under 272, the lowest by a Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2001. Mickelson had this won as he walked up the 18th fairway to a massive ovation. He raised both arms when the putt fell, had a long embrace with caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay then walked toward the scoring hut and into Amy Mickelson's arms.
Standing behind them was Mary Mickelson, his mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in July.
Los Angeles Times
