Phil Mickelson completed his US Masters preparations in emphatic style, coasting to a record third BellSouth Classic title by 13 shots at the TPC at Sugarloaf.

The defending BellSouth champion, eight strokes clear overnight, eagled two of the last six holes for a seven-under-par 65 and a four-round total of 28-under 260.

His winning margin was the largest on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods clinched the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by 15 strokes, and has been bettered only six times in Tour history.

"It was certainly a fun week and I was very pleased with the way I played," a beaming Mickelson told reporters after competing the second wire-to-wire victory of his career.

"I had some good practice days but it really means a lot to actually have the scores reflect the way I felt I was playing, in fact, maybe even a little bit lower. That was nice.

BellSouth champion in 2000 and again last year, the American left-hander birdied three of the first six holes to stretch his lead to 10.

Play was delayed for 45 minutes because of the threat of lightning after he reached the 15th tee, but Mickelson went on to record the 28th PGA Tour win of his career by holing a 24-foot eagle putt at the last.

Mickelson also became the tournament's first repeat winner since compatriot Hale Irwin in 1977. Irwin is among seven players who have triumphed twice at the BellSouth.

American Zach Johnson birdied the last four holes to close with a two-under-par 70 and a tie for second place with Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal (69) on 15-under 273.

Luke Donald, recovering from the shock of finishing his third round with a quadruple bogey nine, moved up to joint 10th with a 66.

David Howell was 24th, while Padraig Harrington fell to 51st spot with a 75 and, having missed the halfway cut in the Players championship a week ago, will be concentrating on his chipping and putting prior to Thursday's opening round.