Lefty Wins, Woods Wilts and Els Washes Up Short

In a fantasy pairing with the World’s top two golfers, Tiger WoodsTiger Woods got a reality check from Phil MickelsonPhil Mickelson, who won the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, China on Sunday by beating down all comers.

The last WGC event of the year’s final pairing, Woods and Mickelson, started the day with the usual hype. Within nine holes though, Woods has slipped back by six shots and Mickelson’s interest were diverted to a new challenger.

Mickelson finished the $7 million purse tournament by claiming $1.2 million as his share. He closed the four rounds shooting a 17-under 271. Mickelson recorded his second victory for a WGC event this year, but this is the first time he has won playing in the final group with Woods.

While everyone else was distracted with the Woods-Mickelson dance, South African Ernie ElsErnie Els tried to remind all about his sweet swing and huge presence.

Els vaulted up the leader board and at one point was 10-under and had a share of the lead at the 17th. But, with one hole to go and water on that hole, the miraculous climb unceremoniously splashed to an end. Els finished with a Sheshan International Golf course record 63, tying Rory McIlroy’s effort earlier in the day. Els also finished one behind Mickelson.

Woods had the jet warming and waiting because he couldn’t wait to get out of China, where he has marked second place his previous two trips to the HSBC Champions.

“Anything that could go wrong went wrong for me today,” Woods said.

Mickelson gets to take a long winter’s break. Sunday was his final round of the year, and he now relaxes with three months off before starting his 2010 season at Torrey Pines, in Southern California in late January.