Thursday, February 24
CARLSBAD, Calif. -- Billy Mayfair doesn't have a better friend on tour than Phil Mickelson. Their wives are close, and the families often share houses when they travel.
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| Billy Mayfair holed out from the bunker to win the match on the 20th hole. |
Mayfair's shot from a greenside bunker dropped softly into the bottom of the cup on the 20th hole Wednesday, giving him a 1-up overtime victory and eliminating his pal from the elite event.
"Obviously when someone wins and someone loses, someone is going to be disappointed," Mayfair said. "I gave Phil and Amy (Mickelson's wife) a hug and vice versa. And we just go on."
Mayfair's blast from the bunker for an eagle came on the second extra hole at La Costa Resort, with Mickelson already on the green waiting to putt his own 12-footer for eagle and seemingly on the verge of winning himself.
Instead, Mickelson's putt went sliding by the hole, and his chances of winning in his hometown for the second time in three weeks went along with it.
"It was very difficult to play Phil," Mayfair said. "And then going extra holes, I think both Phil and I just hoped that one of us wouldn't just give each other the match."
Mayfair and Mickelson winced when the Match Play pairings came out and they found they would be playing each other in the first round.
Mayfair recruited Mickelson to Arizona State, and the two have grown closer over the years. Their wives both gave birth to babies last year, and the couples brought in the New Year together.
Their nannies even room together on the road.
Mickelson had wanted to play a practice round with Mayfair at La Costa, but decided against it after finding they would have to play each other in the first round.
Amy Mickelson and Tammy Mayfair walked together for 18 holes watching the match, then had to endure two more holes until a winner was decided.
"Amy and Tammy both spent the day yesterday with the kids, and they said, `Let's go watch and follow every hole,"' Mayfair said. "And they were out there."
Mayfair was seeded 56th in the tournament and Mickelson ninth, but the two battled evenly down the stretch, with Mayfair getting up and down on the final two regulation holes to put the match into extra holes.
He advanced to a second-round match Thursday against British Open champion Paul Lawrie.
"To beat such a great player and a good friend like Phil gives me a lot of confidence," Mayfair said. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow."
Billy Mayfair describes his victory over Phil Mickelson.