Mickelson learns with Doral loss
Updated: March 13, 2005, 2:38 PM ET
By Bob Harig | Special to ESPN.com
MIAMI -- There are those who will still believe that Tiger Woods is in the head ofPhil Mickelson. And given the outcome on Sunday at the Ford Championship, it might be difficult to argue.
Mickelson took a two-shot lead into the final round at Doral's "Blue Monster" course and didn't get it done. On a golf course that yielded low numbers all week, he could do no better than 69. And he missed a crucial 5-foot par putt on the 16th hole that would have given him a one-stroke lead with two holes to play.
APMickelson's two-stroke third-round lead turned into a one-shot loss on Sunday afternoon.
But to suggest that Mickelson wilted in Woods' presence would be incorrect.
Mickelson did not prevail, but he did show plenty in defeat. And that bodes well with some important tournaments coming up.
When Woods made an eagle at the par-5 12th after launching a 300-yard 3-wood second shot onto the green, that appeared to be a huge knockout blow.
It was the first time all week that Woods led. And just a few years ago, that would have caused everyone around him to cower into a corner.
Mickelson was having none of it.
"When he made eagle on 12, I loved it," Mickelson said. "I want a chance to compete again him at his best. I didn't want him to be giving it to me. I wanted to go after it."
The fact that he did might have been the best thing that could have happened to Mickelson in defeat.
He followed Woods' eagle with a 3-iron to 8 feet at the 245-yard par-3 13th for a birdie, then knocked a 7-iron to 5 feet for another birdie at the 14th.
Just like that, they were tied with five holes to play.
"It was huge for him to suck it up like that," Woods said. "He comes back with back-to-back birdies. That shows you what kind of competitor Phil is, what kind of player he is. Don't forget what he did on the back nine. That was impressive to watch."
Make no mistake, Mickelson was taking little consolation in defeat. He relished this opportunity and openly said so. He wanted a crack at Tiger, and figured he was playing well enough to accomplish the goal.
Mickelson has had so much success lately that it was difficult to conceive anything going wrong. He had shot 60 during the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., to win there and 62 on his way to victory at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. For 10 consecutive stroke-play rounds on the PGA Tour, he led or was tied for the lead.
And then Sunday came a showdown with Woods, who has gotten the best of him for most of their careers. It was just the third time, however, that the two had been paired together in the final group on the final day.
"It's pretty deflating," Mickelson said. "I really thought I was going to do it. I enjoyed going head-to-head with Tiger. I'm really in disbelief I fell short. I thought it was going to be my day."
Mickelson thought so all the way up until the time his 30-foot chip at the 18th hole lipped out. He stalked it like a putt, thought about all the times he had practiced that same shot and holed it. And when it stayed out, all that was left was for Woods to convert a 5-footer for the victory.
"Phil wanted this, but he'll bounce back," said Rick Smith, his swing instructor. "He's taking a couple of weeks off and can use them. He's in disbelief right now."
Mickelson had a chance to take the lead when he missed the 5-footer at the 16th, a makeable putt but certainly not a gimme. He hit an indifferent approach to the 17th, a shot Smith called his worst of the day. But it still lead to an easy par and only mattered when Woods converted a long putt for birdie to take the lead.
And then at the 18th, his approach shot flew directly at the flag, a bit too far.
Mickelson has time to regroup. He is skipping the next two tournaments before returning for the Players Championship, BellSouth Classic and defense of his Masters title.
"There were a lot of positive things that happened," Mickelson said. "I enjoyed and loved playing head-to-head against Tiger at his best. It was great fun. I just don't like the result. ... I want to be head-to-head against him again."
Bob Harig covers golf for the St. Petersburg Times and is a frequent contributor to ESPN.com. He can be reached at harig@sptimes.com.
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