The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 23 February 2009 / 1

Phil Mickelson takes the Punter on a rollercoaster ride of birdies, bogeys and immaculate putting. Meanwhile, in Perth history is made by the youngest ever European Tour winner...

Saturday was a Mickelson master-class and a joy to watch. Starting the day at around [5.3] the poor play of Friday was left way behind as he constructed an almost immaculate 62 and when he missed a 10 footer on the last to tie the course record his price had collapsed to [1.40].

It was just what the doctor ordered. Mickelson had been my initial pick this week at [19.0] and it's fair to say my mood lifted somewhat. I'd layed some back at [1.5] as he'd played the 17th but I went to bed much happier than I had on Friday night.

In Perth, the Johnnie Walker concluded without me. I didn't bother to get up in the night and wasn't surprised to see that Gareth Maybin, my last and very slim chance, hadn't obliged.

History was made when Korean born New Zealander Danny Lee became the youngest ever European Tour winner and only the second amateur to win on the tour, following Pablo Martins win at the Estoril Open back in 2007. It will be fascinating to see how he progresses, hopefully better than Pablo has.

So on to last night, all pretty routine surely. Lefty started the day four clear, stretched his lead further when he eagled the first, for the third day in a row, and his price was down to [1.19]. I'd already layed a bit more back at [1.35] before play started for a decent profit regardless and was hoping to get a further lay in at sub [1.10], but things didn't quite go that smoothly.

In true Mickelson style the eagle was followed by two bogeys and the roller-coaster ride had begun. The sub [1.10] plan went straight out the window and when he hit another errant drive on the seventh I dumped a load more at [1.32]. It proved to be a wise move when minutes later another bogey was chalked up and [1.70] was the new price.
I was relieved I'd done it as his play got shabbier and his price got bigger but fortunately nobody seemed to be kicking on until Steve Stricker went on a birdie streak and Rory Sabbatini followed him through.

I made a further play when I backed Sabbatini as he closed in on the lead at an average of [12.5]. I really don't trust Stricker and he'd started to leak a few drives, and with Mickelson stalling, it looked like Sabbatini had the momentum and he traded under [4.0] when he had a great chance for birdie on the 15th. But he very narrowly missed that and then on the par three 16th hit an awful tee-shot that plugged horribly in a bunker. A double bogey followed and that was the end of him. I was cross with myself as I really don't like Sabbatini, his temperament isn't great and I normally swerve him.

When Lefty bogeyed both the 12th and the 14th, Stricker, two clear with two to play, touched a low of [1.2], while Mickelson drifted out to over [8.0]. It didn't look good, but there was to be yet more drama.

Mickelson will divide opinion forever and a day amongst golf punters. I've always been very pro Phil but even I was struggling to excuse how he was letting this one slip. But had he choked? Or was it just poor play?

Whatever the conclusion, after missing for par from five feet on the 12th, he was back to his aggressive best. He had eyes only for the pin on 13 and 14 and was particularly unlucky on 14 as his tee-shot just failed to clear the bunker, if it had he'd have had a short birdie putt. After a decent bunker shot, his par save putt horseshoed out and you could have excused him if he'd given up the ghost after that.

After a par on 15 he hit a majestic tee-shot on the 16th to within six feet of the very hard to access pin and drained the putt. A two putt birdie on the par five 17th, just after Stricker had messed up the last hole, saw him hit the front again.

It had been a great run but he still had to dispel demons. He'd been in this position two years ago but bogeyed the last and then lost a play-off to Charles Howell. But there was no mistake this year, after a poor second shot left him shy of the green and 63 feet from the hole he chipped up to six feet and yet again made the putt.

It was a crazy final day, even a crazy event, and all so typically Phil Mickelson, barmy and brilliant all in one. It will be great to see Tiger back next week but I'm glad to have Phil back. If he's not good for the game then I have no idea who is.

I've recovered from my Els debacle in Dubai with a couple of really good weeks now and I'll be aiming not to give too much back at the Match Play next week, which is far from my favourite event.

There's also the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico and the Indonesia Open next week so I'd best get my nose back in the form book. I'll preview all three on Wednesday.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

(1)

1. Fredrik Gyllensten | 23 February 2009

   I had a really annoying week, on the European Tour, I was 1 shot away from a massive profit with my pick Fujita @ 300 in odds, and on the PGA Tour I was also just 1 shot away from a great profit, with my pick Stricker @ 70, who traded at a low of about 1,25 in-play :(
   

:

:

:

?

: