PHIL MICKELSON interrupted a five-week holiday for long enough to win the $1.5 million GTE Byron Nelson Classic by two strokes at Irving, Texas, yesterday.

Mickelson demonstrated his renowned short game when he chipped in from 30 feet for eagle at the par-five 16th on his way to a closing four-under-par 66 at the Four Seasons TPC.

He parred in to finish at 15-under 265, two ahead of Australian Craig Parry (65), while American David Duval (65) was another stroke back, in third place for the second week in a row.

Mickelson collected $270,000 for his eighth PGA Tour victory, and he jumped back to the top of the 1996 money list after becoming the first three-time winner this year.