Mickelson wins in California

World number two Phil Mickelson was relieved after winning the Northern Trust Open by two strokes at Riviera Country Club in California.

Mickelson finished 12 under after a final round 70 but was handed the title after main rival Jeff Quinney imploded on the back nine.

Open champion Padraig Harrington and Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald both shot 68 to finish in a tie for third.

It was a tournament the left-hander had long coveted, having lost in a play-off after bogeying the 18th 12 months ago, while at the FBR Open two weeks ago, Mickelson had a one-stroke lead but JB Holmes birdied the final hole to force a play-off which he won on the first extra hole.

This time, Mickelson minimised his mistakes and took a three-shot lead to the final hole.

"It is pretty cool," Mickelson said. "I've wanted to win here for a long time. It was a tough fight with Jeff. He played really well.

"I had some solid shots on the back nine and Jeff had a couple of three-putts to give me the lead. I was able to not make any mistakes and hang on to win.

"I felt I had the tournament won last year and I bogeyed 18. I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I wanted to try to play each shot smart coming down the stretch and not get too emotional."

Mickelson began the day with a one-stroke advantage over Quinney but after nine holes he had been overtaken by his compatriot.

Mickelson had gone three ahead after a birdie at the par-five opening hole was then followed by Quinney bogeying the third after missing a seven-foot putt.

However, a run of three birdies in four holes from the sixth, coupled with a Mickelson bogey at the ninth, turned things around.

Two successive birdies from Mickelson put him ahead again even though his rival picked up a shot at the 11th but then four bogeys in five holes handed the title to the three-time major winner.

Mickelson earned US$1.116m (€760,554) for his first victory of the season and the 33rd of his career.

"I thought in the middle of the round, he made some incredible putts that made for a very difficult day," Mickelson added. "I was fortunate to be able to respond to those with a birdie on 10 and 11, and that gave me a little bit of momentum."

Quinney attributed his back nine trouble to miscalculations with the putter.

"Obviously just put a little too much pressure on the putter on the back nine," Quinney said.

Donald was pleased with the start he has made to his PGA Tour career.

"It's my first event on the PGA Tour and to come out and to play solidly all week, it's very encouraging," Donald said. "It's just showing the work I've been doing over the off season is starting to pay off."