Phil Mickelson celebrates with the winnings after defeating Tiger Woods. Photo / Getty
Phil Mickelson birdied the fourth playoff hole to beat Tiger Woods in their $9 million ($13 million NZD) made-for-TV match in Las Vegas.
Mickelson made a 4-foot birdie putt on a specially set up 93-yard, par 3. The match at Shadow Creek Golf Club finished in the dark with lights
set up around the hole.
Mickelson said to Woods after the match: "Just know I will never let you live that down. It's not the Masters or the U.S. Open, but it is nice to have a little something on you."
Mickelson was 1 up after 16 holes, but Woods tied it with birdie from the fringe of the green on the par-3 17th. Both birdied the par-5 18th and then parred the first playoff hole before it went to the par-3 extra hole — which was pitch shots off the practice putting green — that they kept playing until there was a winner.
"You couldn't have made this event any better than it was," Woods said. "It was back and forth and very competitive on a golf course that was playing on the tricky side."
