Nissan Open - Howell Comes Through

Making a 8 foot putt for par on the last, Charles Howell III survived and entered a playoff when Phil Mickelson bogeyed the last.

On 18, Mickelson drove into the left rough and short. Had 204 left to the hole/green but came up about 4-6 yards short (and left) of the green with an 8 iron. The pin was back left, as usual but his pitch was too high and short. it landed dead leaving a 10 foot putt that he missed.

In the ensuing play off, Mickelson arrived at 18 tee a bit later and had too tee of first, and hit a simialr shot to that he had made a few minutes earlier - in the left rough, leaving himself 218 out. This time he played 2 clubs more and wound up roughly pin high on the right fringe and made par.

Both players played 10 fairly badly, scoring par. Howell played his second from a cartpath on the left, but clipped some branches with his chip. With 80 feet to go, Howell hit a fine pitch and later sank the 3 footer. Mickelson meanwhile had hooked his drive to the right front of the green, and his lackluster pitch, like 18, was too short.

On the final hole, the par 3 14th, both men were short of the green. Mickelson hit a putt through the fringe and wound up 10 feet short, while Howell hit a decent chip to 3 feet beyond the hole. After Mickelson missed, Howell sank his putt and breathed a loud sigh of relief. He had achieved his second victory, having 9 seconds and only one victory prior to this.

Nissan Open Friday Notes

A field loaded with the world's top players descended on Riviera Country Club, to enjoy one of the finest courses the pros will play all year.

Notes on players seen will be coming in a future edit.

ATT - Philly Mick in good form

Hitting over 81% of his fairways, and expressing high confidence, Mickelson had a Sunday stoll, securing a 5 stroke victory.

FBR Open