Polar opposites As the Beast from the East and Storm Emma collided to bring Arctic conditions to the UK for a few days last week, the very best players in the world were enjoying somewhat different temperatures as they battled it out at the WGC-Mexico Championship. Any of you who watched on the box over the weekend will have noticed the mammoth distances that some of the guys were hitting the ball in Mexico, but why was this? How were they hitting mid-irons over 200 yards and driving the first green (316 yards) with 3-woods? Well, the golf course they were playing is 7,800 feet above sea level, which reduces drag on the golf ball meaning it can travel further than it otherwise would. In the end, it was Phil Mickelson who ended his exile from the winner’s circle with a playoff victory over compatriot Justin Thomas, who holed out from the fairway for eagle on his 72nd hole. This was lefty’s first win since the 2013 Open Championship but comes as no surprise as he has been showing signs of returning to his best with top 10 finishes in his last three events. Mickelson’s story is remarkably similar to that of Michelle Wie, who claimed her first win since the 2014 US Open at last week’s Women’s World Championship.
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