Mickelson handed California title

World number two Phil Mickelson won 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.

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.

'I have wanted to win this tournament for a long time,' said Mickelson.

Donald, who had five birdies and two bogeys in his final round, was satisfied with his first outing in America this year.

'It's my first event on the PGA Tour and to come out and to play solidly all week, it's very encouraging,' he said.

'It's just showing the work I've been doing over the off season is starting to pay off.'

Harrington, after dropping two shots on his outward nine, came home in 32 after four birdies boosted his total.

'I tried to be aggressive and go out there and maybe shoot a six or seven under par but that didn't happen,' said the Dubliner.

'It was a question of knuckling down and getting the best out of the round I could.

'I'm certainly not in tip-top shape. I'm happy with the performance. I took more satisfaction yesterday; today was a little bit up and down, but it's early in the season.

'This is what I'm here for. It's good to be in these positions that at least I'm being tested.'