LOS ANGELES — It has been 20 years since Phil Mickelson first stepped inside the ropes at Riviera, a 17-year-old amateur in awe of the fabled course off Sunset Boulevard, inspired by names like Hogan, Snead and Nelson that were on the trophy.
Mickelson finally joined them on Sunday, adding to his impressive collection of PGA Tour titles on the Left Coast by winning the Northern Trust Open.
Mickelson made two clutch putts on the back nine, seized control when Jeff Quinney self-destructed with the putter, and took a relaxing walk up the 18th fairway with a victory.
He closed with a 1-under-par 70 for a two-shot victory, the 33rd of his career, with 16 of those in California and Arizona.
“The fact I haven’t won this and it has taken me so long to win makes it that much more special,” Mickelson said.
A year ago, Mickelson was poised to win in L.A. until he bogeyed the 18th hole and lost in a playoff against Charles Howell III. This time, he was steady down the stretch as Quinney’s putter changed from a magic wand to a ball-and-chain.
Quinney made four straight putts outside 10 feet, only to make three straight bogeys starting on the 13th hole. The first two came from missing consecutive par putts from 7 feet that allowed Mickelson a cushion over the closing holes.
“I just put a little too much pressure on the putter on the back nine,” said Quinney, who made a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that only changed the final score. He closed with a 71.
British Open champion Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald each shot 68 and tied for third, although this was a two-man race from the start, and a one-man celebration over the final two holes.
Mickelson, who finished at 12-under 272, now has won at least once since 2004, and his 33rd victory moved him past Horton Smith and into 13th place alone on the career list.
