Mickelson ends Barren run
Phil Mickelson claimed the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic when edging out Skip Kendall on the first play-off hole at La Quinta in California.
Both narrowly missed the green with their second shots at the par-five 18th but Mickelson produced the better chip and birdied from close range after Kendall had failed from 15ft.
The win was Mickelson’s 22nd on the PGA Tour but his first for over a year and a half.
The 43-year-old left-hander had to endure a barren 2003 after taking this event and the Greater Hartford Open two years ago.
“This one means a lot and I hadn’t been that nervous for a long, long time,” said Mickelson.
“My form and scores in practice had been very encouraging and this bodes well for a good 2004 after struggling last year.”
Both leaders had finished on 30 under after five rounds of regulation play, Mickelson closing with a four-under-par 68 while Kendall carded a 65.
Jay Haas was one shot back in third after a closing 67 while Jonathan Kaye moved up to fourth on 28 under thanks to a 64.
Sweden’s Jesper Parnevik fired a 68 to join Ben Crane and Kenny Perry on 26 under for a share of fifth while Germany’s Bernhard Langer was alone in eighth after a 64.
