Golfer Ends Long Losing Streak

Finally!

Phil Mickelson's agonizing pursuit of a major ended Sunday at the Masters when he made an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole, a spectacular conclusion to a back-nine duel with Ernie Els.

Gone is that ugly streak of being 0-for-42 in golf's biggest events. Gone are questions about Mickelson's game and whether it could stand up to the scrutiny of a major championship.

He delivered a command performance to the very end, with two birdies on the final three holes for a 3-under 69 that gave him a one-stroke victory over Els.

The putt curled into the back of the hole, setting off an enormous cheer. Mickelson jumped and thrust his fists, then kissed his ball when he plucked it from the cup.

"Oh my God!" he said as he walked off the green and into the arms of his wife and three children.

Until Sunday, he was known as the best player to have never won a major.

Now, he's simply one of the best in the game.

His awesome skills were on full display along the back nine at Augusta National, and they had to be. Els was flawless, making two eagles in his round of 67 that looked as though it would be enough to get the green jacket he covets, and the third leg of the Grand Slam.

But Mickelson was more determined than ever.

He rattled off three straight birdies to stay in range, caught Els with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 16th and then had the stage to himself on No. 18.

Despite a half-dozen close calls in the majors, Mickelson had never come to the final hole with a share of the lead. He never had the final say.

On this day, he refused to let his chance get away.

He smartly played 3-wood off the tee to avoid the bunkers and hit his approach behind the hole. Mickelson got a huge break with Chris DiMarco blasted out of a greenside bunker and just beyond Mickelson's ball marker, giving him the line on the biggest putt of his life.