Toms edges out Mickelson to take title

Duluth (US), Aug. 20. (Reuters): David Toms sank a 10-foot putt for par on the 72nd hole to beat fellow American Phil Mickelson by one stroke and win the 83rd PGA championship.

Toms chose to lay-up on the 490-yard, par-four 18th after driving into the rough and it paid off as he put his wedge shot to within 10 feet and coolly dropped it in the cup to win the $936,000 top prize and clinch a berth on the Ryder Cup team.

The 34-year-old Toms finished with a final-round 69 for a 15- under-par total of 265 at Atlanta Athletic Club to claim his first major championship.

Mickelson, who played the final round alongside Toms, posted a two-under-par 68 for 266.

American Steve Lowery finished alone in third at 268 after registering a 68, with Japan's Shingo Katayama and Mark Calcavecchia tied for fourth place at 270.

Katayama bogeyed three of his last six holes to post an even-par 70, while Calcavecchia fired a five-under 65 to tie him.

"I really didn't want to have to do that, but I was in the rough and thought that was the best way to make par," Toms said about laying up. "I just thought that was my best play to make four. That's what I had to do and it worked out just fine."

Mickelson, who made up a two-stroke deficit on Toms three times during the round, was trailing by one shot going into the last hole after losing ground one last time with a three-putt bogey at the 16th hole.

The left-hander hit a long drive and put his second shot about 25 feet from the hole, but his putt for a birdie that would have clinched at least a playoff stopped a few inches short of the cup.

Had the two players tied, they would have gone to the 16th tee to begin a three-hole playoff.

"It seems like every time I caught him I made a mistake," said the 31-year-old Mickelson, who is still looking for his long expected first major title after 38 chances.

"I don't know what else to say. It was certainly disappointing."

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Section  : Sport
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