Retribution: Phil Mickelson Wins 2013 Open Championship

Photo via @grayhawkgolfclub

After starting the day five shots behind leader Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson posted a final round, five-under, 66 to win the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield.  Afterwards Phil noted that “today was one of the best rounds [he] ever played” and that the biggest key was “incredible day on the greens.”

Mickelson took advantage of Westwood’s fall from the leader board birdying 4 of the last six holes to pull ahead of the pack and become the only player to finish the tournament under par.

Speaking of Westwood, the tournament (and his first ever British Open win) appeared well within his grasp as he took the first tee two strokes ahead of Tiger Woods and Hunter Mahan at -3.  However, Lee would see that lead quickly slip away as he went +4 on the day to finish T3.  Woods and Mahan also stumbled in the fourth round, posting a 74 (+3) and a 75 (+4) respectively to finish T6 and T9 for the tournament.

We noted Tuesday that we “liked his chances” when we selected Phil as one of our Fantasy Picks this week, feeling that he would be on the hunt for retribution after the 2013 U.S. Open slipped through his fingers, finishing runner up for a record 6^th time.  When asked to compare how he felt then versus now, Phil said, “I have quite a bit different feelings and emotions right now than I did just a month ago.  This is just an incredible high.”

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; wins like this just couldn’t come to a better guy.

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