Desert Classic: Adam Long, world number 417, defeats Phil Mickelson and wins title PGA Tour
Long had missed three of his four cut-outs during his previous PGA Tour events this season Classic last overall classification of the team – 26 A Long (USA); -25 P Mickelson (USA), A Hadwin (Can); -24 T Gooch; -22 D Bozzelli (USA); -21 J Rahm (Spa) Other selected: -16 R Knox (Sco); -14 J Rose
World No. 417 Adam Long birdied the last hole to conquer his first PGA Tour title with a one-shot victory at the Desert Classic in California.
Three shots besides the leadership at night bought the 31-year-old American, in just his sixth travel event, a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to finish at 26 under.
Phil Mickelson led the event since the 60th on the opening day and was two shots in the run-up to the final round.
But he missed a few short putts in his 69 to finish for the second with Adam Hadwin.
When Hadwin threw himself to the inch of the hole on the 11th, it created its sixth birdie of the day and the Canadian had released three shots on the stadium course at the La Quinta Country Club.
But Long came from the side of the green on the 15th for his sixth birdie of the day to join Hadwin at 25 under.
And despite missing a few putts and not being magical, Mickelson, who had 33 putts on the last day, compiled successive birdies to make all three players in the last group level with two
On the par-four 18th, Mickelson's long-range efforts were painfully excruciatingly wide of the cup and compatriot Long and quietly rolled into a 13-foot pit to grab the title.
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