Duel for the ages ends with a thud

AUGUSTA, Ga. — A supercharged duel between the world's two best players ended with a thud Sunday at the Masters, leaving someone else to claim the green jacket.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson fell apart down the stretch as 48-year-old Kenny Perry tried to become the oldest major champion in golf history. Chad Campbell challenged for his first major title and Angel Cabrera was the only other player who had a chance.

Perry was in control after a tap-in birdie at 16th, going to the final two holes with a two-stroke lead over Campbell and Cabrera.

All Woods and Mickelson could do was bemoan the shots that got away.

Mickelson dunked his ball into Rae's Creek and missed two short putts, settling for a 5-under 67 that could have been so much better. Woods bogeyed the last two holes, finishing with a 68 that wasn't good enough.

Mickelson finished at 9-under 279, his only consolation that he beat Woods by a stroke.

"It was fun," Mickelson said. "We've had some good matches in the past. I've usually been on the wrong end of it. It's fun playing with him. I've always enjoyed it."

Perry started the day tied for the lead with Angel Cabrera at 11-under 205, and the steady Kentuckian stayed on top with a run of pars — 11 in a row to start his round before he made his first birdie at the famous 12th hole.

But no matter who won, this final round will long be remembered for the showdown between Woods and Mickelson, playing together in the final round of a major for only the third time.

Mickelson had the place in an uproar when he shot a 6-under 30 on the front side, tying a Masters record. It was like the Augusta of old, when the roars reverberated through the Georgia pines as everyone from Gary Player to Jack Nicklaus pulled off dramatic comebacks.

"It was a fun front nine," Lefty said. "I thought there were some pins I could get to."

In the end, he'll remember this one for the blunders, most notably the one in Amen Corner at the devilish little 12th hole known as "Golden Bell."

Mickelson punched at a 9-iron, but the ball spun back into Rae's Creek and he wound up taking double bogey. He still had a chance to be only the third player to win after hitting one in the water on Sunday — until he missed a 4-footer for eagle at No. 15 and a 5-foot birdie try at 17. An errant drive at 18 leading to a bogey was academic.