Mickelson returns to top 10
Monday, 20 February 2012
Phil Mickelson is back in the world's top 10 after narrowly missing out on a second successive victory at the Northern Trust Open on Sunday.
The four-time major winner backed up his triumph at Pebble Beach with a sterling effort at Riviera as he forced a three-way playoff with a 26-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.
Bill Haas and Keegan Bradley made up the trio with Haas eventually sinking a 45-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole to take the title.
Still, the positive result sees Mickelson move up two spots to ninth, while Haas' win catapults him to a career-high ranking of 12th, up from 22nd.
Bradley is in to the top 20 for the first time (19th) just ahead of Tiger Woods.
Luke Donald remains at number one with a 91-point lead over Rory McIlroy, who moved up to second ahead of Englishman Lee Westwood, despite not playing.
German Martin Kaymer is unmoved to round out the top four.
US pair Steve Stricker and Webb Simpson are in fifth and sixth, Australian duo Jason Day and Adam Scott in seventh and eighth, while Dustin Johnson remains in 10th behind Mickelson.