Howell wins in sudden-death

Charles Howell III won the Nissan Open in California on the third sudden-death play-off hole against Phil Mickelson.

It was the longest play-off in the US$5.2 million (£2.66million) tournament since the 1982 three-hole play-off between Tom Watson and Johnny Miller, which Watson won.

Mickelson, who had the outright lead for 16 of 18 holes, shot a final-round three-under 68 to finish 16 under (268), but made a bogey on the final hole to allow Howell to get in to the play-off.

Howell, who began the final round three shots behind Mickelson, shot a final-round 65. Howell earned US$936,000 (£479,224) for the victory.

Both players looked tight in the play-off. On the first hole, neither found the fairway and had to scramble to make par. On the second play-off hole, Mickelson hit a three-wood to the front of the green at the 314-yard hole. Howell snap-hooked his three-wood that came to rest on the cart path by the 11th tee box.

He hit off the cart path between two small trees with low-lying branches but clipped the branch and was barely able to advance the ball. Howell did not even lose his turn and on his next shot he was able to get the ball to two feet.

Mickelson had two chances to end the tournament, but failed on both. His chip caught up in the right rough and stopped 12 feet short. His birdie putt went two feet past the cup.

On the par-three 14th hole, Mickelson's seven-iron landed short of the green.

Howell's tee shot was also short. Mickelson's putt hit a bump before the green and came to rest nine feet short. Howell chipped and had a four-foot par putt. Mickelson's par attempt went three feet past the hole and Howell calmly drained the putt for his second career victory.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington finished seventh at 10 under par.

"I felt like I had the tournament in my grasp and made the bogey on 18," Mickelson said.

"It was certainly disappointing. I just needed to par the last hole. So I certainly will look back and say that there were a lot of opportunities that I let slide."

While Howell, an Augusta native, has called Riviera Country Club his second favourite course next to Augusta National, it certainly was not kind to him four years ago.

Howell had a three-stroke lead in 2003 going into the final round but faltered and allowed Mike Weir to force a play-off. On the second hole of the play-off, number 10, Howell hit his drive into the bunker on the right. Howell got his second shot on the green, but missed a six-foot birdie putt to extend the play-off.

"We have a love/hate relationship," Howell said of the hole. "I think it's one of the greatest par-fours that we play."  Agencies