It just feels great to win this tournament," Mickelson, 41, told the media afterwards. "It's a special place for me, Pebble Beach, and to have a win here, where my grandfather caddied, feels awesome.

"I felt like my game was so close heading into the season, and yet my scores didn't reflect how I felt I was playing," he explained when referring to the fact that before now his best finish this year had been joint 26th in three starts.

"And to put it together this week, especially the final round, just feels terrific. It gives me a lot of confidence going forward, but also inspires me because I believe what I'm doing is correct and that I'm still able to play some of my best golf."

Mickelson was also delighted to outscore his playing New 2012 TaylorMade RocketBallZ RBZ Irons
partner Tiger Woods by 11 shots after they had been paired together for the 30th time in the final round of a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.

"I just feel very inspired when I play with him," Mickelson said of Woods. "I love playing with him, and he brings out some of my best golf.

"I hope that he continues to play better and better, and I hope that he and I have a chance to play together more in final rounds."

In spite of everything that happened on Sunday, Mickelson nevertheless felt that the former world number one is close to his best after two years of toil and trouble, both on and off the course.

"Watching him play today, things can change in one week," Mickelson said.

"He used to hook; you were waiting for it and now he's just striping it right at his target with a tiny little fade just like he used to do. And his iron play looked extremely sharp.

"I know the score wasn't what he wanted and I know he didn't putt the way he wanted to, but you could tell that he's really close. All it takes is one week."

Mickelson's victory on Sunday lifted him into sole second place behind Mark O'Meara, a five time winner of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and into ninth place in the all-time PGA Tour standings with Walter Hagen immediately above him with 45 wins. Sam Snead heads the list with 82.

"It feels awesome, whatever number it is," smiled Mickelson, who will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May and who looks New 2012 TaylorMade RocketBallZ RBZ Irons
for another upsurge on his career graph as get gets ready for Augusta National, another course where he thrives.