Mickelson slump benefits McDowell

PHIL MICKELSON’S failure to shine in the Northern Trust Open has seen Graeme McDowell take his spot as the fourth best player on the planet.

McDowell was not in action at Riviera, opting to take the week off in preparation for the World Matchplay, but it proved to be a good week for the Ulsterman, who moved up one place on account of Mickelson misfiring.

Mickelson was put in the shade at Pacific Palisades by Aaron Baddeley and his win catapulted him a huge 151 places up the rankings to 73.