Phil Mickelson broke his own tournament record yesterday to run away with a seven-point victory in the $1.7 million Sprint International golf tournament in Colorado.

Mickelson amassed 48 points in the four-round event, which uses the Modified Stableford scoring system. He posted successive rounds in double figures, scoring 14, 13 and 12 points before an 11 yesterday allowed him to surpass his 1993 total of 45.

The left-hander easily outdistanced Stuart Appleby of Australia and picked up $306,000 for the 11th victory of his career and his second this year. Playing for the first time since the British Open two weeks ago, he boosted his 1997 earnings to $860,765.

Appleby picked up nine points and was runner-up to Mickelson for the second time this year. He also finished second to Mickelson at the Bay Hill Invitational in March.

Skip Kendall had four final round points and was third with 38, four more than Dudley Hart. Jay Haas and Kevin Sutherland tied for fifth with 33 points.

Under the unique system, which rewards aggressive play, golfers are given eight points for a double-eagle, five for eagle, two for birdie and zero for par. One point is deducted for a bogey and two for double bogey or worse.