ATLANTA — Phil Mickelson had the smaller check and felt like the biggest winner. Tiger Woods was congratulated after he finished second in the Tour Championship.
Never have golf’s two biggest stars shared the spotlight, each going home with a trophy that was meaningful in its own way.
Mickelson capped off a tumultuous summer at home with a spectacular rally at East Lake Golf Club, closing with a 5-under-par 65 to go from four shots behind to a three-shot victory, his first since his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring.
Woods made two late birdies, not enough to put any heat on Mickelson, but plenty to secure the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus. It finished a season in which he won six times and was no worse than second in nine of his 17 tournaments. Sunday was the ninth time they finished 1-2 in a tournament.
“I like the way today went,” Mickelson said. “I was two back of him, I beat him by three. I just love holding this.”
He motioned toward the crystal trophy of the Tour Championship, which has not belonged to him since he won in 2000 at East Lake after rallying in the final round to beat Woods.
Mickelson finished at 9-under 271 and earned $1.35 million. He also collected $3 million for being second in the FedEx Cup. It was his third victory of the year, the 37th of his career.
Woods stood on the 18th green with his biggest rival, perturbed by his inability to make putts inside 20 feet, trying to remind himself that he had a remarkable season.
“I’m sure I would probably be more happy tomorrow than I am right now, because you’re in the moment trying to win this event,” Woods said. “Winning takes care of everything. But when you’re in the moment out there, I’m trying to win a golf tournament. I’m trying to beat Phil, he’s trying to beat me.”
It was a grand finish to the FedEx Cup, as three other players had a chance to capture the big prize along the back nine.
• Kenny Perry had a two-shot lead to start the final round and doubled it after two holes, only to implode with poor tee shots, bad chips and missed putts that led to a 74.
• As it became clear Mickelson was headed toward victory, Steve Stricker needed only to finish ahead of Woods to win the Cup. He was in position until he found mud on his ball in the 16th fairway, sailed the green with his approach shot and made consecutive bogeys to shoot 69.
• Sean O’Hair stayed within range of Mickelson until he took a bogey on the 17th hole and wound up with a 69, alone in third.
