Phil defeats Tiger in playoff to win The Match

Phil Mickelson beat Tiger Woods on the fourth playoff hole to win The Match and take home the $9-million prize in Las Vegas.

It was a battle of attrition for 22 holes between the two golf icons at Shadow Creek Golf Club. Lefty led for most of the match but neither player held more than a single-hole edge.

Things did get interesting on No. 17, though. Down one with holes running out, Tiger chipped in for birdie and fist pumped in typical fashion to level the match, one that would eventually end five holes later.

"You've been doing that crap to me for 20 years, not sure why I'm surprised now," Phil told Tiger after his chip dropped.

Neither golfer played particularly well on Friday, especially on the greens. Clinching putts would not drop until Mickelson broke through with his third attempt at the created 95-yard, "20th hole."

Under the lights and hitting from Shadow Creek's practice area to the 18th green, Phil spun his wedge shot to within a few feet. After Tiger left his birdie try short, Mickelson sealed the deal, draining his birdie putt to win The Match.

To Mickelson, who claimed he "drove the ball like a stallion" in his post-round press conference, the victory over Woods means more than the $9 million.

"To be able to have just a little bit of smack talk for the coming years means a lot to me because I really don't have much on him," he said post round.

Phil also outclassed Tiger in side challenges. He won three closest-to-the-pin contests to earn $600,000, while Tiger won $200,000. Money won from side challenges will be donated to each player's charity of choice.