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Mickelson outlasts Quinney to claim Northern Trust Open

18/02/2008

Phil Mickelson has won the Northern Trust Open by two shots after carding a one-under-par 70 in the final round at the Riviera Country Club.

The American held off the challenge of playing partner and countryman Jeff Quinney, who went round on level par on the fourth day, to take the title.

Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland finished in a tie for third with England's Luke Donald after both men carded three-under-par rounds of 68 on the last day - finishing five shots off Mickelson's score.

They both began the final round in a tie for seventh, but third-placed American John Rollins lost ground with a three-over-par final round while the three players tied for fourth - Vaughn Taylor, Stuart Appleby and Scott Verplank – also failed to match the Europeans' scores.

Ryuji Imada tied for fifth with Verplank, and KJ Choi joined Robert Allenby, JB Holmes and Appleby to tie for seventh overall.

"The names that are on this trophy are pretty cool and bring an element of history to this tournament," Mickelson said.

"The Riviera is a special place and it has some of the greatest holes on the PGA Tour.

"Last year was really the first year I played well here and to break through with a victory feels terrific. I have wanted to win this for such a long time."