American Mickelson storms to third Masters victory (1st Lead)

By DB Peters Apr 12, 2010, 0:09 GMT

Augusta, Georgia - American Phil Mickelson produced a flawless final round on Sunday to win his third US Masters green jacket at Augusta, his 15-under-par total enough for a three-shot victory over Englishman Lee Westwood.

The left-hander trailed Westwood by one shot at the start of play but recorded five birdies and not a single bogey in his 5-under-par 67 to join a select band of players to win the Masters three times.

Westwood carded a 1-under-par 71 to be second on his own on 13-under-par, while American Anthony Kim was one shot further back after a superb final-round 65, 7-under-par.

World No 1 Tiger Woods had another up and down day but still managed to finish on 11-under-par after a 69, ending level with playing partner KJ Choi.

Mickelson, the champion in 2004 and 2006, parred the first five holes but a birdie at the eighth took him level with Westwood.

Things turned on the par-three 12th hole when Mickelson drained an 18-footer for birdie and at the next, the par-five 13th, he produced one of the best shots of the week, smashing a brilliant second shot from the pine needles to around four foot.

Though he missed the eagle putt, the birdie took him further clear and he grabbed another two holes later to go three shots clear of Westwood with three to play.

Westwood birdied the 17th hole to reduce the deficit to two shots but Mickelson holed a clutch putt for par and then birdied the last to clinch a hugely popular victory.