The superstar from the Beijing Olympics touched first in 1 minute, 54.31 seconds in Friday's final, beating the field by 5.67 seconds.

His time lowered the meet record of 1:55.93 set by Davis Tarwater last year, and earned Phelps a US$100 reward (S$145). He owns the world record of 1:52.03 set in Beijing, where Phelps won a record eight gold medals.

David Mosko was second in 1:59.98, making him and Phelps the only men in the nine-swimmer final to go under 2 minutes. -- AP