Rookie Long upstages Mickelson to snatch Desert Classic win

Phil Mickelson narrowly missed out on a wire-to-wire win at the Desert Classic after PGA Tour rookie Adam Long clinched a dramatic one-shot win.
Mickelson led the way for the first three rounds in La Quinta, but would ultimately fall agonisingly short.
A final-round three-under-par 69 was a solid enough return for the 48-year-old veteran, but it only proved good enough for a share of second place one shot behind Long, whose rounds of 63 and 65 over the weekend saw him claim a one-shot victory on 26 under par.
Long, ranked just 417th in the world, had missed the cut in three of his first four starts this season, but appeared to find another level completely as he birdied four of his last seven holes to upstage his rivals.
Adam Long's previous 5 TOUR starts: +20
Adam Long this week: -26
— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) 21 January 2019
Still in a three-way tie with Mickelson and Adam Hadwin as he headed to the 72nd tee, not even a wayward tee shot could prevent Long from making the birdie he needed after playing the approach shot of his life out of the rough to 13 feet.
His life has changed forever. 🏆@ALongShot will never forget this.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/svPhEEnIXa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) 21 January 2019
“I’m in disbelief right now,” said Long afterwards. “I don’t really know what just happened, but I’m thrilled.”
As a result of Long’s heroics, Mickelson had to settle for a share of second place with Hadwin, whose final-round 67 also ended up just shy of the winning total.
Mickelson was left to lament his form on the greens, which prevented him from making the kind of score he needed to on Sunday.
He rallied late with birdies at 15 and 16 to give himself a chance on the closing holes, but it wasn’t enough.
“Terrible putting day, one of the worst I can recall in awhile,” said Mickelson, who needed 33 putts in his 69. “It felt awful with the putter. I hit a lot of good shots today though, but I just couldn’t get the ball to go in the hole.”
Fourth place went to Talor Gooch a further shot back thanks to a closing 64, while Dominic Bozzelli was fifth on 22 under, one shot ahead of defending champion Jon Rahm, who secured solo sixth place after a 67.
Final leaderboard from @Desert_Classic:
1. @ALongShot, -26 🏆
2. @PhilMickelson, -25
2. @AHadwinGolf, -25
4. @TalorGooch, -24
5. @DomBozzelli, -22
6. @JonRahmPGA, -21
7. @VaughnTaylorPGA, -19
7. @JT_ThePostman, -19Full scores: https://t.co/vZk1d8dmgT pic.twitter.com/IaKzDnFy4M
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) 21 January 2019
Latest
-
News
Sponsor Ralph Lauren drops Justin Thomas following homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three uttered the derogatory word towards himself after missing a putt at Kapalua last weekend.
-
News
Bryson DeChambeau keeping brain relaxed to avoid repeat of Masters misery
DeChambeau said his brain went into overdrive at Augusta National.
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.
-
News
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
The former US Open and Masters winner was on the run from the law.
-
News
On this Day in 2013: Paul McGinley given Ryder Cup captaincy
McGinley would go on to be involved in a sixth Ryder Cup victory.
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.