SPORTS NEWS
April 12, 2004
It's Finally Mickelson's Turn
Phil Mickelson wins his first-ever major golf title at the Masters' tournament
 Mickelson reacts to his winning birdie putt. |
After trying for years to win a Masters' golf title, Phil Mickelson finally found victory. At the Augusta National tournament on Sunday, Mickelson made an 18-foot birdie putt on his last hole. That shot put Mickelson ahead of his closest challenger, Ernie Els, by one stroke and secured his first title.
 |  Mickelson jumps in the air after making birdie on the 18th hole to win the Masters. |
For years Mickelson, an American, has been seen as the best player never to win a title. At the three-day tournament in Augusta, Georgia, Mickelson had a near flawless game – but so did the South African Els. The two men were neck-and-neck during the last holes, but Mickelson’s shot put him one stroke ahead of Els and ended his losing streak of 0 for 42 in golf’s biggest tournaments.
"Having it be such a tough quest, struggle, journey … it feels that much better," Mickelson said after his win. Many had begun to doubt that Mickelson would ever win a title, especially since this year has been his worst yet.
The Masters Tournament is one of four major championships run by the Professional Golf Association (PGA). The other three major tournaments are the British Open, the United States Open and the PGA Championship.
Tiger Struggles
Once the world’s best player, Tiger Woods tied for 22nd place, which is his worst finish ever at the Masters. Woods has gone seven straight major tournaments without winning.
Woods battled a stomach flu on Sunday and that may have affected his performance. But Woods said, "it's the mental grind" of the golf course that is most challenging.
