Nicklaus Jnr denied in play-off

Phil Mickelson, the player who ended Tiger Woods' run of six successive victories earlier in the season, again prevented a historic victory by beating Gary Nicklaus in a sudden-death play-off at the BellSouth Classic here yesterday. A Nicklaus has not won on the US Tour since Jack won his sixth Masters title in 1986, the moment his third son Gary, 31, rates as his "biggest thrill in golf".

Thunderstorms and persistent heavy rain which flooded the TPC at Sugarloaf course washed out the fourth round but Nicklaus and Mickelson, tied overnight at 11 under par, went out to the par-three 16th hole to decide the title. While the Bear Cub found a difficult lie under the lip of a greenside bunker and left his first recovery in the sand, the left-hander holed from 17 feet for a birdie.

"I was not trying to be the bad guy. I just wanted to win the tournament," said Mickelson. "It would have been nice to win over 18 holes but we were lucky to get in just one hole. This course is similar to Augusta so to play well here is a good sign for the Masters." The 29-year-old, who won the Buick Invitational in February, missed the cut at the Players Championship. "It was just nine bad holes and I didn't want that to affect me after playing well this season."

The consolation for Nicklaus, in his first full season on the US Tour, was that his $302,400 prize (£191,000), double his father's biggest official cheque, ensured his card for next season. "That is definitely a big weight off my shoulders," he said. "That's a tremendous feat for me. I've proved this week that when I play well, I can win. I was only one hole away against one of the best players in the world. Myfather has always told me to be patient and to persevere."

Nicklaus Snr, competing in The Tradition event in Arizona on the US Seniors Tour, said: "For years, Gary has been on the sidelines rooting for me," said Jack. "Now it was my turn to be on the sidelines pulling for him. I'm very proud of him."

The only one of his siblings to attempt to become a tournament professional, Nicklaus finally made it through the US Qualifying School at the ninth time of asking last November with a closing round of 63. Previously, he had played, without winning, in Europe, Asia and on the American equivalent of the Challenge Tour.

Entering the BellSouth, he had missed five cuts in nine events. "If you put anyone else's last name there, you would think he is a heck of a player," said Mickelson. "But because the expectations are so high, you tend not to give him the credit for what he has accomplished."

Named after Gary Player, Nicklaus has much the same look and mannerisms as his father, whom he first beat over nine holes as a 15-year-old with birdies at the last three holes. Michael Nicklaus, the youngest son, can testify that there are no easy games against theirfather. "The other day we were playing a match and he waslining up a 25-footer and says, 'Hate to do this to you,' with his little smile on his face. Sure enough, he holes the putt. That's pure will."

"Course management is the biggest thing I would like to take from him," said Gary. "He talks about that a lot. Obviously, his game is something everyone would like to take a lot of. There are some things I do and there are things I don't do, not because I don't want to but maybe because I am not good enough."

Unwittingly, both Nicklaus, who had four birdies in a row during the third round, and Mickelson had opportunities to win the tournament at the par-five 18th on Saturday. Nicklaus saw his eight-foot birdie putt lip out, while Mickelson was over the back in two strokes. Hisfamous flop shot, however, did not come off for once, but he left his next chip dead.

BELLSOUTH CLASSIC (Atlanta) Leading final scores (US unless stated; fourth round abandoned because of rain):

205 G Nicklaus 68 69 68, P Mickelson 67 69 69 (Mickelson won at first play-off hole); 207 K Perry 67 70 70, H Frazar 69 68 70; 208 J D Blake 67 72 69, T Pernice 73 66 69, S Jones 67 71 70; J Huston 68, 67, 73, J Sindelar 68 66 74; 209 S Cink 71 71 67, D Pride 73 68 68, C Perry 71 69 69, S Flesch 73 67 69, B McCallister 67 70 72; 210 T Dodds (Nam) 73 68 69, F Langham 74 67 69, D Toms 71 69 70, D Peoples 68 73 69, G Hjertstedt (Swe) 68 71 71, B Henninger 68 70 72, P Stankowski 66 70 74; 211 S Gump 70 72 69, B Cheesman 70 70 71, J Delsing 71 69 71, B Watts 71 72 68, R Freeman 75 68 68, B Jobe 69 70 72, T Scherrer 68 71 72, J Van de Velde (Fr) 67 70 74; 212 B Heintz 72 69 71, J Kelly 72 71 69, M Wiebe 71 68 73, G Norman (Aus) 71 73 68, D Stockton Jnr 68 69 75, B Burns 70 74 68, B Gay 73 71 68; 213 D Sutherland 69 72 72, MA Jimenez (Sp) 71 71 71, C Raulerson 70 7370, M Springer 70 71 72, B Geiberger 71 70 72, N Faldo (GB) 72 71 70, K Sutherland 70 70 73, L Mattiace 69 71 73, JM Olazabal (Sp) 71 72 70, B Bates 72 71 70, J Green 72 71 70, B Glasson 70 69 74.