Photos By David Vier, Text and Captions By Jeffrey A. Rendall

PEBBLE BEACH, CA – There’s a controversy swirling ‘round men’s professional golf these days, and it’s actually one of those ‘good’ kinds of problems – the dilemma being, who’s the best player in the world in 2005? 

Phil Mickelson’s certainly letting his claim be heard, not through stump speaking and over self-indulgent hyperbole, but by his actions.  Mickelson won his second consecutive PGA Tour event at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, this time besting second-place finisher Mike Weir by four strokes, to follow-up his five stroke victory a week earlier at the FBR Open in Scottsdale. 

Mickelson led wire-to-wire, firing a 10-under par 62 during his opening round at Spyglass Hill, widely viewed as the toughest on the three-course AT&T annual rotation.  His lead was so large that he was never seriously challenged, despite closing with a one-over round of 73 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. 

Mickelson’s showing the type of shot-making ability and consistency that few players have ever demonstrated -- but remains in the #4 spot in the world rankings, despite his hot play of late.

It’s all entertaining theater, as Mickelson literally grins his way to victory. 

We were fortunate that GolfTheMidAtlantic.com Photographer David Vier was able to attend the event, and he captured some of the sights of this beautiful part of the world – with some professional golf thrown in: 

Phil Mickelson did little wrong in four days while winning his second consecutive tournament.

Jeff Sluman drew quite a pairing -- partnering with ESPN's Chris Berman, and playing in the same foursome with Bill Murray. That's a lot for a guy the size of Sluman to carry for four days.

Tom Lehman's seen some success at the AT&T in the past, but this year he missed the cut.

Here's part of the reason why Pebble Beach is ranked the #1 golf course in the United States. If there's a better setting anywhere, I'd like to see it.

Davis Love III won here two years ago (2003), and this year produced his best finish to date, a tie for 9th place.

It'd been over a year since World #1 ranked Vijay Singh had missed a cut, but the three courses of the AT&T got the best of him.

Lee Janzen watches intently as he chips from the rough. Janzen must have fond memories of Northern California, having won his second US Open in that part of the state in 1998.

CBS Golf Commentators David Feherty and Gary McCord find a pretty spot to talk a little golf.

Mike Weir always seems to play well at Pebble Beach, and 2005 was no exception, finishing second to Phil Mickelson. If a few putts had fallen on the back nine on Sunday, it might've been interesting.

Winner Phil Mickelson shot the lights out at Spyglass Hill, cruising to a course-record 62. Here's one of those shots, on the par five 11th hole.