Mickelson fires 67 and Woods starts strong, but top two players fall short
HAVEN, Wis. - Both Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods restored the roar at Whistling Straits on Sunday, but in the end neither of the top two players in the world had quite enough in the tank to make a serious run at the PGA Championship, though Mickelson's 67 at least made things interesting.
"It was good to just play a good, solid round," Mickelson said. "I felt like I've been playing and just letting shots slide here and there.
"Today I played a good, solid round - made a few putts, hit some solid shots in the wind - it gives me some momentum and confidence heading into upcoming events. I wish I had put together all four rounds here, though."
Woods created a buzz with birdies on his first two holes, and after a bogey on No. 3, birdied the fourth to stoke things even more. But then things fizzled.
"I didn't miss a shot for the first four holes," Woods said. "Then after that I hit it awful."
Woods finished with a 73 and was 2 under for the tournament.
"I just have to put it together for four days and I never did that," he said.
Rory's story: Rory McIlroy, the 21-year-old phenom from Northern Ireland, was in contention until the very last hole Sunday, eventually finishing a stroke back and tied for third with Zach Johnson at 10 under.
"It's the first time I've been in contention in the last round of a major and I was feeling it on the first tee," he said. "It was a new experience for me; today will stand me in good stead for the future."
Picking up Points: Take away a double bogey on the front nine and another on the back and D.A. Points' final round could have been something really special.
As it turned out, the University of Illinois standout had quite a day nonetheless, finishing with a 4-under 68, good for a top-20 finish at the PGA Championship.
"I'm pleased, I really played fine," Points said. "I really played fine. I just made two bad swings the whole day today and it cost me 2 double bogeys. If I hit those fine, it's a really good week."
After a little break, Points will be back aiming for the FedEx Cup playoffs and a possible stop at Cog Hill for the BMW Championship.
"My first goal is to get to the BMW," he said. "Last year I missed by two spots and was really bummed out."
No overtime for Overton: Jeff Overton pumped his fist in celebration upon learning he had set a PGA Championship record Sunday.
It was about the clock, not the scorecard.
Playing alone in the first group off at Whistling Straits because Ian Poulter withdrew, Overton went around 18 holes at Whistling Straits in two hours, nine minutes. He made a clutch 7-foot par on the final hole to shoot 79.
Only later did Overton learn he had broken the previous unofficial mark by one minute set by Phil Blackmaar at Crooked Stick in 1991.
• Associated Press contributed