SHANGHAI // Phil Mickelson says he is starting to play some of the best golf of his career after ending his season by winning the WGC-HSBC Champions.
The world No 2's second success in three years in Shanghai was also his fourth tournament victory of a season that was turbulent off the course with both his wife and mother falling victim to breast cancer.
Gritting out a victory over a strong field in a pressure-cooker of an atmosphere at the Sheshan International Golf Club convinced Mickelson he was close to his peak.
"I'm excited about 2010 because I'm starting to play the best golf of my career," the 39-year-old said.
"And everything is starting to kind of come together as far as my driving, since working with Butch Harmon, my ball striking has been much better.
"My short game is better than it's ever been. Going into 2010, not only am I excited about it, but I have very high expectations."
Mickelson played the final round with Tiger Woods and, although the anticipated shootout never really materialised as the world No 1 started so poorly.
"It always feels good to win any tournament but certainly when you have a chance to go head-to-head - although, I know he didn't play his best today," he said.
Mickelson's manner and success in China over the last three years has made him very popular with the locals, noticeably more so even than Woods among the thousands of fans that lined the course on Sunday.
"I thought the gallery and the people were terrific," he added. "The galleries were much bigger than the past two years, and I'm very excited to see that people in China are getting excited about golf."
Mickelson, who finished his domestic season with victory at the Tour Championship and the President's Cup, will not get credit in the US PGA Tour money list for the US$1.2 million (Dh4.4m) he takes away from Shanghai.
"I think it would have been great if it would count, but it doesn't take away the fact that I beat 15 of the 20 best players in the world," he said.
* Reuters
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The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
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Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet