The Masters were the highest rated in nine years this week, thanks to Tiger Woods’ much anticipated comeback. Woods wasn’t the victor this time and placed in fourth. Phil Mickelson took home his third Masters title. It wasn’t an atypical performance from Cheetah, as much as I’d like to see him firmly planted on his face. He placed fifth last year, but has won the Masters four times: in 1997, 2001, 2002, and 2005.

The good news is that Mickelson, 39, has a much more compelling personal story. His wife Amy has been battling breast cancer since last year and his mother was diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks later. Mickelson has been alternating between spending time with his wife, their three children and his mother and playing golf. He said that the win was very special for him and his family and was “something I’ll always cherish.” His wife Amy was there at the tournament to watch her husband. She gave him a hug on the 18th hole, and Mickelson dedicated the trophy to her.

An emotional Phil Mickelson dedicated his third Masters win to his wife, who has been battling breast cancer.

“It feels incredible. I could go on and on about why but to win this tournament is a special, special day,” said Mickelson, who won by three shots.

“It’s something I’ll always cherish. It’s been an emotional year. I’m very proud of my wife and the fight and struggle she’s been through.

“This win has been one of the best things we’ve been through.”

Mickelson’s closing 67 gave him a 16-under-par aggregate of 272 and it was the first of his four majors – he also won the 2005 USPGA – where he has come from behind on the last day to win.

The deficit to Lee Westwood with 18 holes to play was only one but Mickelson produced a bogey-free round with five birdies to usurp the Englishman at the top of the leaderboard and seal the title.

The left-hander became overcome with emotion and shared a long embrace with wife Amy just off the 18th green.

“I was just really glad she was there – I wasn’t sure she was going to be – and it’s something that I’ll look back on and just cherish,” he revealed.

“To have Amy and my kids here to share it with, I can’t put into words. It just feels incredible, especially given what we’ve been through in the last year.”

[From BBC]

It feels nice to celebrate a golfer and all around decent person. Mickelson is a real contrast to Tiger and his self-inflicted problems. According to Forbes, Mickelson was the second top earning golfer in 2008. He made $38 million in endorsements in 2008 in comparison to Tiger’s $110 million. Maybe those numbers will be a little closer in 2010.

Meanwhile Tiger’s wife Elin hasn’t filed for divorce yet but she’s not exactly sticking around cheering for him on the sidelines. Radar Online reports that Elin flew on a private jet out of Orlando by herself over the weekend. It’s possible she went to see Tiger, but Radar also claims that she’s determined to go on a vacation by herself. She’s definitely earned it.

Update: According to People, Elin was headed out alone to visit her mother in the hospital, who has been receiving treatment in the US for an undisclosed illness.