Strategy pays off in major way

Just when you thought he'd lost the secret to his own success, Phil Mickelson recovered his game and bolstered his legacy.

In the comforting bosom of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan fans who love him like he was a local, Mickelson dialed back the overzealous tendencies that lost him too many majors before and staked a place for himself in the only fraternity where it's better to be second class than first.

"I'm very, very grateful to have been able to pull off the victory," Mickelson told reporters after another closing birdie won him his second career major - the PGA Championship at Baltusrol to go with his 2004 Masters Tournament win.

It wasn't pretty at times on the extended weekend, but Mickelson prevailed under what he called the most stressful conditions of his career, going wire to wire to win.

"When you lead from day one and you stand with the trophy in hand on (Monday), you certainly deserve to win," Thomas Bjorn, the runner-up by a lip, said in his news conference.

The re-emergence of Mickelson's obsession with distance ruined his other major chances this year as his performances got progressively worse. But to everyone's surprise he returned to his senses and his strategy that worked so well a year ago when he nearly swept the table.

If he maintains this game plan, who knows how many more winner weekends there will be for Mickelson? In the meantime, here's the final scorecard from the season's final major:

WINNER: PGA Championship. It's belittled and overlooked more than any of the other majors, but year after year it stands up as one of the most entertaining.

LOSER: PGA of America. For refusing in the face of obvious weather warnings to move tee times ahead 60 minutes to appease 60 Minutes, the host organization proved it's just a lackey for TV.

WINNER: Baltusrol. The substitute venue held up more like a U.S. Open course than it did in many of its previous 12 U.S. Open stints. Keep it in the lineup.

LOSER: Old growth oaks. Tree removers worked overtime to take down the ailing oak that nearly fell on Tiger Woods near the fourth green. This after another huge oak collapsed on a maintenance worker shortly before the tournament on the nearby 15th tee. Even if it's 100 degrees, stay out of the shade around Baltusrol.

LOSER: Tiger Woods. Some of it was bad luck, some poor course management, some faulty putting, but Woods left knowing more than ever that he gave a major away - especially on the closing par 5s.

WINNER: Tiger Woods. Credit the man for not only grinding to make the cut but threatening to win from 15 strokes back at one point and 12 after 36 holes. Who else does that?

LOSER: Vijay Singh. It's bad enough he can't putt. Now he has to put up with Mickelson at TWO champions dinners every year.

WINNER: Steve Elkington. He's been lost for a couple of years but his sweet swing and near-miss reminded everyone that this 10-time winner (including a PGA and two Players Championships) is as worthy a major champion as any.

LOSER: Davis Love III. The guy should have at least as many major wins as roman numerals, but Love wilts under stress. His driving was abysmal and his four pars on the easy 18th doomed him.

WINNER: Ben Curtis. Let's not get crazy and think the startling 2003 British Open champion is poised to become a star, but he seems a little less fluky this week than he did the past two years.

WINNER: Thomas Bjorn. He handled another major defeat with class and proved he can handle a tough shot out of a bunker under pressure. That last putt should have dropped.

LOSER: Stevie Williams. The evidence was so circumstantial that it wouldn't take a Michael Jackson jury to acquit him, but Tiger's caddie was the only person who might have stepped on his boss' ball in the hazard. Typical him, he blames a cameraman.

WINNER: Charles Howell. The highlight of a trying major season was a boost, and the highlight of his ace is still being replayed.

LOSER: CBS Sports. Everyone needs to turn off their TVs (or change the channel) the second the last putt drops in any major championship from here on out to protest network greed that forces unsatisfactory Monday finishes. Take a walk. It's good for you.

WINNER: Augusta National. The only club with the backbone and clout to stand up to television was held up as the shining example for prudence over ratings.

LOSER: Dunlop. You might think one of the eight logos John Daly wears refers to his belly dun-lopping over his belt, but it's really for putters so bad that Long John lost his head and opted to putt with a wedge instead. Maybe he should endorse the Heavy Putter.

WINNERS: The Big Four-teen. Bernhard Langer, 47, was the oldest of 14 players (only five Americans) who made the cut in all four majors this year. Behind the usual Woods, Singh, Mickelson and Retief Goosen, the 4-for-4 list included Fred Couples, Kenny Perry, Adam Scott, Luke Donald, K.J. Choi, Tim Clark, Ian Poulter, Mark Hensby and Steve Flesch.

LOSERS: The Little Three. Only a trio of players managed the dubious distinction of missing the cut in all four majors this season - David Duval, Rich Beem and Shaun Micheel. Well done, gentlemen.

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.