Phil Mickelson made a triumphant start to his senior career with victory at the PGA Tour Champions’ Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National in Missouri.
Mickelson, who turned 50 in June, carded a 66 in the final round for a 22-under total that left him four shots clear of fellow American Tim Petrovic.
“I really enjoyed playing here, I enjoyed seeing all the guys again and I enjoyed the way they were so accommodating and fun,” said Mickelson, whose 54-hole total was a joint record low for the tournament.
Mickelson decided to tee it up in Missouri after failing to advance beyond the opening event of the PGA Tour’s season-ending FedEx Cup playoffs last week, although he still has plenty of unfinished business on the main tour this year as he plans to play a warm-up tournament before competing in the US Open at Winged Foot next month.
In the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot, Mickelson held a one-shot lead playing the final hole, but carded a double-bogey and lost by one shot to Geoff Ogilvy.
“Obviously, I have a lot of work to do and some redemption at Winged Foot, but it’s a great golf course and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said the six-time US Open runner-up.