Abu Dhabi: Cries of ‘Bravo, bravo! Way to go, Phil!’ reverberated around the Abu Dhabi Golf course as Phil Mickelson sank a 50-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a sublime 10-under-par 63 at the end of his third round here yesterday.
That 18th hole also summed up how well Mickelson played through the entire third round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
On the par-five final hole, Mickelson was in a fix after his tee shot went into the bunker and then into a sandy area with a palm tree right in front of him.
However, the veteran wowed the crowd when he managed to bend his shot around the tree onto the green and 50 foot away from the hole.
The five-time Major winner sank the putt with ease to leave his fans ecstatic and he also just couldn’t stop smiling.
“Well, it was not a smart decision out of the bunker to go for the green, but I don’t know, that’s just what I do,” said Mickelson busting into laughter.
“I could have taken a wedge and kind of trapped it or kept it thin and kept it low underneath those branches. I gave myself a lot of green to work with and just drove a pitching wedge on the green. It wasn’t close, it was 50 feet away, but I made a really good putt and it felt terrific to see that ball go in,” added an elated Mickelson, who had not made a birdie until the 21st hole in the tournament.
The World No 5, who started the day at one-under, fired three birdies in his first four holes.
An eagle on the eighth, two more birdies and just one bogey on the fifth meant that Henrik Stenson’s course record 62 was under threat.
Though a bogey at the testing par-four 14th stemmed his stunning surge, he quickly got back into the groove.
“I think the biggest thing for me is that each day as the tournament progressed, I have felt sharper. The first day I did not feel very good with the golf swing or the short game. As the second day came, I became sharper with the irons. Today, I started to hit some really good shots. I love [the fact] that I have a chance [to win] tomorrow,” the 43-year-old said.
His tremendous form so early in the season will definitely be a big boost before he heads for the big tournaments later in the season, Mickelson believes.
“To be in contention the first week out and to feel the nervousness on the first tee tomorrow and to have an opportunity to win a golf tournament so early in the year. is a great feeling.
“The more times you can put yourself in the position, handle it and deal with the pressure, the better your opportunities are when April comes around,” the tall left-hander added.
