Phil Mickelson ended a five-year victory drought as he sank a par putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Justin Thomas at the WGC-Mexico Championship on Sunday.
The 47-year-old Hall of Famer, who had not won since the 2013 British Open, was thrilled to find his golden touch and make a long-awaited breakthrough at the Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City.
“For it to happen here in Mexico City in a WCG event against the best players in the world is such an encouraging and validating feeling for all the lows and difficult times I have experienced the last four years,” said Mickelson, who claimed his 43rd PGA Tour win.
“This is hopefully going to propel me on to better stuff.”
Thomas, who had waited for more than half an hour after a closing eagle to start the playoff, hit first and was long on the 17th hole.
The 2017 PGA champion then missed a putt for par to end a weekend in which he had come from 11 strokes back to contend.
The Americans completed regulation tied at 16-under 268 for a one-stroke lead after Thomas, the earlier finisher, shot seven-under 64 and Mickelson 66.
