Haas wins playoff to deny Mickelson, Bradley

20 February 2012 12:46

Bill Haas rolled in a 45-foot birdie putt at the second playoff hole on Sunday to win the Northern Trust Open and deny Phil Mickelson a second US PGA Tour title in as many weeks.

Riviera Country Club's 315-yard, par-four 10th provided plenty of drama as the second playoff hole.

Mickelson put his tee shot in the right rough short of the green. Bradley was in the right greenside bunker while Haas was in the back left rough.

Haas pitched safely to the middle of the green. Mickelson's shot out of the rough rolled through the green and into the back bunker while Bradley fired out of the sand to the back fringe.

Haas sank his long birdie putt, then waited tensely as Mickelson and Bradley tried in vain to extend the playoff.

Haas had been the first in the clubhouse on seven-under 277 after a two-under par 69 at Riviera Country Club.

Haas had seized a one-shot lead with a birdie at the par-five 17th. His lead looked safer after neither Mickelson nor Bradley could take advantage of the 17th, Mickelson's long birdie putt stopping an inch short.

But the overnight co-leaders responded at the last hole of regulation.

Mickelson, who had struggled all day on Riviera's testing greens, rolled in a 26-footer from the back fringe to complete his even-par 71 and join Haas on seven-under 277.

Moments later Bradley made his own 13-foot birdie putt for his 71 and headed with Mickelson and Haas back to the 18th -- which they all parred to open the playoff.

Haas claimed his fourth US PGA Tour title, and his first since he won last year's Tour Championship -- he also captured the FedEx Cup playoff title and it's $10 million bonus.

Source: AFP