Mickelson takes Boston title

World number three beats playing partner on dramatic final day

By Phil Jackson   Last updated: 4th September 2007

Mickelson takes Boston title

Mickelson: Heads the field

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Phil Mickelson held off a late charge from Tiger Woods to win the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday.

The American left-hander quickly surpassed overnight leader Brett Wetterich, before fending off the world number one to secure his 32nd PGA Tour title.

Mickelson posted a five under par 66 to finish 16 under for the championship and claim his third victory of the year.

The two-shot victory has also taken him top of the FedEx Cup point standings, with just two events remaining in the season-ending PGA play-off series.

Test

But he was made to work hard for his victory, with Woods birdying 14 and 16 to card a 67.

A disappointing par on the 17th, and a missed eagle-putt on the last left Woods joint second though, with Wetterich (70) and Arron Oberholser (69).

Mickelson said: "For 10 years I've struggled against Tiger.

"This sure feels great to go head-to-head and over the last five or six holes when he's making a run, it was fun to match him with birdies.

Now the next step is to try to hopefully go head-to-head in a major.

"We don't get paired very often in majors, and hopefully next year in '08, we'll have a chance to do that."

Frustration

Woods blamed his putting for not being able to push Mickelson harder in the final round.

"It was very frustrating," Woods said. "I did not putt well the majority of the week, I just had that stretch there on Friday.

"Other than that, I unfortunately did not have the speed right. I had too many three-putts. I think I had four or five three-putts this week.

"That many three-putts and (I'm) still right there, which means I'm hitting the ball well. I just need to clean it up on the greens for next week."

The top 70 players on the FedEx Cup points list head to the BMW Championship in Chicago next, with all to play for.

The top 30 then qualify for the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where a $10 million bonus will be won by the overall points champion.