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While Bubba Watson won the 2011 Farmers Insurance Open, it was Phil Mickelson who stole the show. He and his caddie had everyone on the edge of their seats as they tried an eagle from 70 yards out. 

The Farmers Open was a highly anticipated event since it was the first time Tiger Woods and Mickelson were playing against each other in 2011. However, to everyone’s disappointment, it was not a Woods-Mickelson showdown but Bubba Watson‘s one-man show. 

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via Reuters

Notably, Mickelson needed an eagle to tie with Watson to have a shot at winning the title. However, the problem was that he needed to hit it from 70-yards out. Although it seemed impossible for Phil to win in this situation, the confidence he and his caddie showed at the course was highly commendable. 

Read more: Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson: Who Has More Wins at the Farmers Insurance Open?

To celebrate the Farmers Open that will begin on the 26th of January, the PGA Tour shared the video of Phil and his caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, planning and trying to execute the perfect eagle in the final round of the 2011 tournament. 

Phil Mickelson and Bones were optimistic until the end!

 

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The tournament was about to end. Mickelson needed an eagle to force Bubba Watson into a playoff. Since the distance was too long, all the spectators were certain that Phil didn’t stand a chance to win. However, Phil and his caddie had other plans. 

USA Today via Reuters

At first, Mickelson went down to the green and inspected the hole and its surroundings. And when he went back to Bones, he handed over the sand wedge to Phil, which the commentators found interesting. However, the most interesting thing happened when Bones went to the green to tend the flagstick. 

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Although the commentators were taken aback a little, they were expecting them to do the same. Even though Bones tried to take the flag out before Mickelson took a shot, he gave up in the end. It was a nice show both Phil and his caddie pulled off; however, Phil couldn’t execute the eagle and lost the chance to win the title. 

Watch this Story: A Hilarious Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson Story

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Although it was a desperate effort, the incident made the tournament interesting till the end. The situation might have felt like a joke to some, but the confidence Phil had at the moment was truly commendable. 

Antics or heroics, call it what you may, it made for a thoroughly entertaining watch.