PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (Reuters):

Phil Mickelson overhauled playing partner Sean O'Hair with a consummate exhibition of golf to clinch his 31st PGA Tour title by two shots at the Players Championship yesterday.

One behind O'Hair at the start of a muggy day at the Tournament Players Club Sawgrass, Mickelson fired a three-under-par 69 to triumph for the first time in the Tour's flagship event. The American left-hander, competing in his third tournament since switching allegiance to swing coach Butch Harmon, could afford the luxury of a bogey at the last to finish at 11-under 277.

Compatriot O'Hair duelled with Mickelson for most of the day before twice finding water at the infamous par-three 17th on his way to a 76 and out of contention in 11th place.

Runner-up

Spaniard Sergio Garcia, six strokes off the pace at the start of the day, birdied four of the last five holes for a 66 to finish runner-up at nine under.

World number one Tiger Woods began the day languishing in a tie for 64th, but ended the week with a smile on his face and a sparkling five-under-par 67. The putts finally began to drop for the 2001 champion who covered the last 14 holes in seven under.

"I didn't play that much better today, but I had a run from five through 12 where I one-putted every hole," Woods told reporters after tying for 37th on level-par 288.

"The last two days, I've had 12 lip-outs from eight feet and out and I knew I could shoot a round in the 60s here if I'd just make a few putts. And I did today."

Woods needed only 27 putts to complete his lowest round at Sawgrass since he closed with a 67 in 2001 to win the title for the only time.