Phil Mickelson starts Champions Tour career with back-to-back wins

Phil Mickelson made it two wins from two starts on the Champions Tour with a three-shot victory in the Dimension Energy Charity Classic in Virginia.

Phil Mickelson has become just the third player to win their first two events on the Champions Tour. Picture: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The new recruit to the over-50s circuit closed with a 65 for a 17-under-par total as he added to his his breakthrough win in the Charles Schwab Series at the end of August.

Mickelson is just the third player to start their careers on the Champions Tour with two victories, joining Bruce Fleischer and Jim Furyk, the latter also achieving the feat this year.

"It was obviously a really fun week and I enjoyed it quite a bit," said Mickelson. "I enjoyed the golf course. It is nice to play such a classic, historic golf course and play it well.

"It's fun for me to come out here and play well. This is a good start for me as I try to build some momentum heading into Augusta in a month’s time.

"I put a new driver into play this week trying to get a little bit more pop, a little bit more carry. It was a little bit wayward at times, but it was also effective as it allowed me how I wanted to play this golf course, which was aggressively.

"There were some good things that came of it while I also identified some areas I need to work on. All in all, it was a really fun, successful week."

Canadian Mike Weir, who led by three shots heading into the final round after opening efforts of 68-63, finished second, one ahead of American Paul Goydos.Swede Robert Karlsson closed with an albatross 2 for a 64 to secure a top-10 finish, with Colin Montgomerie (70) having to settle for a tie for 29th.

Elsewhere, Jason Kokrak landed his first PGA Tour title at the 233rd attempt with a two-shot win in the CJ Cup @ Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.

The 35-year-old closed with a 64 for a 20-under-par total to claim a two-shot win over fellow American Xander Schauffele (66).

Newly-crowned BMW PGA champion Tyrrell Hatton signed off with a 65 to share third spot with overnight leader Russell Henley (70).

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