• Waste Management Phoenix Open, Round Four

Mickelson completes wire-to-wire victory

Phil Mickelson added to his CV with another big PGA Tour win © Getty Images

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Phil MIckelson held his nerve - and used his experience - to complete a four-shot victory at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Sunday.

Mickelson began the day with a six-shot lead - the same margin Kyle Stanley managed to throw away in last year's event - but, while there were a few nervy moments along the way, the left-hander comfortably held on to secure his 41st PGA Tour victory.

"It means a lot to get back in the winner's circle," he said afterwards.

After a bogey at the second set Mickelson off to a poor start, it was his putter that ultimately made life easier than it could have been - as he holed long-range birdie putts at four and seven to retain his comfortable advantage.

The scoring heroics of the first three days were not in evidence, but three birdies in the final six holes nevertheless saw Mickelson home with a final round of 67 - good enough for a 28-under-par total.

That was enough to beat Brandt Snedeker - as the FedEx Cup champion completed a rare double in finishing runner-up to Tiger Woods and Mickelson in successive weeks.

"It was a ton of fun," Snedeker said. "To be in the last group with Phil and kind of trade birdie for birdie and make up some ground was a lot of fun. It's what we play for.

"I wish I could have put some more pressure on him and got a little closer than I did today, but I think I shot 12-under on the weekend and made one bogey.

"Sometimes you have to tip your hat and say Phil played unbelievable and deserved to win, and that's kind of what this week was all about."

American Scott Piercy rounded out the top three without ever challenging for the victory while Padraig Harrington, part of the final threeball after a stellar Saturday performance, had to settle for a top ten finish after a disappointing final round of 70.

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