Feb 21

Written by:
2/21/2009 

How many times have we seen this? Phil Mickelson, leading the field at Riviera Country Club.  We got to see it again over the weekend and things could have gone either way for Lefty.

Mickelson had the largest lead of his career going into Sunday's final round of the Northern Trust Open. With only three holes to go, though, he found himself two shots behind Steve Stricker.  Was it going to be a repeat of 2007 when Mickelson failed to make par on the final hole and ended up losing in a playoff or would Lefty be able to close things out like he did in 2008?

I'll admit, I really thought Phil would choke.  I figured he'd be pressing a little too much and come in as nothing more than a bridesmaid.  I was wrong.

Lefty stuffed a nine iron on the 16th for a birdie, made a two-putt birdie on 17 and then closed with a par on the final hole.  Stricker had his chances, but just couldn't keep up. Well done Phil.

The thing I was most disappointed about was Fred Couples.  He was just a few strokes behind going into Sunday's round and it looked the 49-year-old had a pretty decent chance at winning.  He was just a stroke behind when his drive on 18 hit a tree, ending any shot he had a victory.

I've always been a fan of Couples because he's been one of the real straight-up guys on TOUR.  I always had people tell me my swing in college reminded them of Freddie's, too, which I think made me enjoy watching him play.  Looking back, I'm sure it had less to do with my mechanics and more with the fact that my swing has been always been pretty smooth. 

Sorry, I didn't mean to stray. 

Next week, we get to see the return of Tiger.  One the LPGA, Michelle Wie will take her second crack at a victory after last week's heartbreaker.