Phil Mickelson wins WGC – HSBC Champions

Phil Mickelson

published 8 November 2009

World Number Two Phil Mickelson survived a nervous finish at Sheshan International GC in Shanghai to edge out Ernie Els and win the WGC - HSBC Champions by a single stroke.

The World Number Two found the rough twice on the closing hole but managed to salvage a par 5 and claim a second HSBC Champions title in the space of three years. Earlier, Ernie Els had found the water with his approach to the 18th and made his only bogey in a sparkling round of 63. The three-time Major winner eventually lost out to Mickelson by just one shot.

"It feels terrific to have won this tournament," said Mickelson. "This has been a very special event. To have a World Golf Championships here in China, and to be the champion feels great. This is my last event of the year. I won't play again until the end of January, and so to finish the year with this victory feels wonderful."

Ryan Moore completed a solid week, carding a final round of 68. The American finished alone in third place. Rory McIlroy surged up the leaderboard with a closing 63. He ended the week in fourth spot.

Tiger Woods had a poor day and could only manage a level-par 72 in the final round. He missed a number of short putts and found the water on the closing hole. He ended the tournament in a tie for sixth with Germany's Martin Kaymer.

With just two events remaining, the inaugural "Race To Dubai" could not be closer. Lee Westwood retains the lead but, after their performances in Shanghai, Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer have narrowed the gap to the Englishman. The youngsters are just €50,000 and €70,000 behind Westwood respectively. The contest will come right down to the wire and we should witness a thrilling climax at the Dubai World Championship at the end of this month.

WGC - HSBC Champions Sheshan International GC, Shanghai, China Nov 5-8, purse $7,000,000, par 72

1 Phil Mickelson (USA) 69 66 67 69 271 €807,575 2 Ernie Els (RSA) 70 71 68 63 272 €454,260 3 Ryan Moore (USA) 66 69 70 68 273 €289,381 4 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73 68 70 63 274 €211,988 5 Nick Watney (USA) 64 70 70 71 275 €168,244 T6 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 66 74 69 67 276 €127,866 T6 Tiger Woods (USA) 67 67 70 72 276 €127,866 T8 Alvaro Quiros (Esp) 69 66 76 66 277 €99,264 T8 Lee Westwood (Eng) 70 71 65 71 277 €99,264

Note: Player scores in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only

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Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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