Tiger Woods won a thrilling duel with Phil Mickelson to win the Doral Open at the Blue Monster course in Miami last night. Woods shot a final round of 66 to win by one shot from Mickelson with Vijay Singh and Zach Johnson four shots further back in third place.
Woods, who reclaimed the world number one spot from Singh, looked to have struck a decisive blow when he recorded a stunning eagle three at the 603 yard par five 12th hole to take a two shot lead at 24 under par. But Mickelson showed remarkable nerve to birdie the next two holes and set up a nerve-racking finish.
Both players bogeyed the short par four 16th as the pressure intensified but Woods showed his ability to make things happen when he holed from 25 feet for what turned out to be the winning birdie at the next hole.
Down the 18th, Woods ran his birdie putt five feet past the hole and watched as Mickelson's birdie chip agonisingly lipped out. Woods then stepped up to hole out nervelessly for the win.
Looking for a third consecutive strokeplay title, Mickelson had begun the day with a two-shot advantage on Woods as the two Americans, a controversial pairing at last year's Ryder Cup, went head-to-head in an eagerly-anticipated showdown.
US Masters champion Mickelson produced a flawless front nine at Miami's Doral resort to go 22-under but a relentless Woods went one better on the Blue Monster with three birdies on his bogey free first nine.
The pair produced identical scorecards through the first four holes, opening with a birdie followed by three consecutive pars.
Former world number one Woods finally made a breakthrough on the par four fifth when he left his approach two feet from the hole for an easy birdie to go two-under and trim Mickelson's lead to a single stroke