Phil Mickelson ("Lefty)claimed his third major championship in hi last 9 major appearances. Mickelson has finally shaken the label of "choke artist." I sat around yesterday waiting for Phil to fall back and let some people back into the tournament. However, he didn't. Mickelson not only didn't come back to field, he seperated himself from his contenders.
Early in the final round on Sunday it seemed that Mickelson was going to stick around 5-under par. But, the back-nine was a totally different story. It was the likes of Tiger Woods, who fell back and failed to thwart Mickelson's charge to a second Green Jacket.
The Green Jacket is the most coveted prize in the world of golf and prior to Sunday only 14 players had ever claimed multiple jackets. Mickelson joins a group that includes Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer and Jack Niclaus among others.
The best moment, of an otherwise boring Sunday at the Masters, was defending champion Tiger Woods helping Mickelson into the jacket. It was obvious that it was only a professional courtesy extended by Woods. It has been no secret that the 2 are no more than acquantances, and that is great for golf. Tiger now has a legitimate rival, who will be there waiting for Tiger at each major for at least the next 5 to 10 years.
It should be great and I hope that we see these two go at it in the final round of the next handful of majors. Even better would be to see them in the final pairing on a Sunday at a major tied with each other entering the day. Then, and only then, will we know if "Lefty" has permanently shaken the label that followed him through his first 42 major appearances.
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