Ailing Mickelson bags WGC championship

MIAMI, March 15 (UPI) -- Phil Mickelson won the WGC-CA Championship in Miami Sunday, fighting off dehydration to shoot a 3-under-par 69 and defeat Nick Watney by a stroke.

The victory was Mickelson's second this season and 36th on the PGA Tour. It elevated him to the No. 2 position, behind Tiger Woods, in the world rankings.

Mickelson, who won $1.4 million, finished at 19-under 269. Watney closed with a 70 for 270.

The 38-year-old Mickelson received hospital treatment for heat exhaustion and dehydration on the eve of the final round at Doral's Blue Monster.

Mickelson said he's looking forward to the Masters next month.

"I cannot wait for that tournament to come," Mickelson said. "I'm going to rest up the next three, four days obviously, but after that I'll be working on my game getting ready for the Masters."

Jim Furyk (67) took third place at 16-under 272 and Jeev Milkha Singh (70) was fourth at 274.

Woods, in his first stroke-play tournament since June 2008, shot his second straight 68 and finished in a tie for ninth place at 11-under 277.

Oliver Wilson (66) and Camilo Villegas (71) shared fifth at 13-under 275, while Thomas Aiken (65) and Soren Kjeldsen (71) tied for seventh one stroke further back.

Woods was joined in ninth by Rod Pampling (71), Kenny Perry (72) and Justin Leonard (71).