Mickelson Rallies to Win in Shanghai

Phil Mickelson won the World Golf Championship-HSBC Champions event Sunday in Shanghai, rallying with a spectacular finish after almost being run down from behind.

And it was not by Tiger Woods.

Woods was never a factor in the final round, dropping six shots back after the front nine.

Instead it was Ernie Els who pushed Mickelson to the finish.

It was a wild conclusion.

Mickelson made an 18-footer to save par on the 16th after he had whiffed on a flop shot. He then holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 17th and managed par on the 18th to finish a 3-under 69.

Els had a one-shot lead going into the final hole but found water on the final hole and made bogey.

Mickelson finished at 17-under 271 and earned $1.2 million in winning his second World Golf Championship of the year. It was the first time he won a tournament while playing in the final group with Woods.

It was the third time in his last four tries that Woods played in the final group without winning. This time he shot 72 to finish tied for sixth

Els settled for a share of the course record at Sheshan International, a 9-under 63 that put him 16 under and one behind Mickelson.

Ryan Moore shot 68 and finished alone in third, which should be enough to move him into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

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Tiger Woods of the United States acknowledges the spectators after he finished the 9th hole during the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Woods finished at 12-under. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

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Jyoti Randhawa of India hits the ball from the water hazard at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Phil Mickelson of the U.S. won the tournament with 17 under. Randhawa finished the Third place with the score of 8 under. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Phil Mickelson of the U.S., right, reacts as he putts close to the tin cup at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Mickelson won the tournament. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Tiger Woods of the United States drops the ball after his ball went into water hazard at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Phil Mickelson of the U.S. won the tournament with 17 under. Woods finished 12 under. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. flashes his thumbs up to spectators at the 18th green during the final round of the HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Mickelson won the tournament as he finished 17 under. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Phil Mickelson of the U.S. takes off his cap to greet spectators as he wins HSBC Champions golf tournament at Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. Mickelson finished at 17-under 271. (AP Photo)

SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Phil Mickelson of the USA poses with the trophy after his one-stroke victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Mickelson

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Phil Mickelson of the USA watches his tee-shot on the 13th hole as Tiger Woods of the USA looks on during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Mickelson;Tiger Woods

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Tiger Woods of the USA waits with Steve Williams on the 16th hole during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tiger Woods;Steve Williams

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - NOVEMBER 08: Tiger Woods of the USA waves to the crowd during the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 8, 2009 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tiger Woods

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