Phil Mickelson defended his title on his home turf, and he did it with a double-bogey at the Buick Invitational.

The lefthander, who was inducted to the San Diego Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday, led through most of the final round but was forced to go to a play-off after Davis Love and Frank Lickliter made late charges.

After Love was eliminated on the second sudden-death hole, Mickelson survived a crazy series of events on the third en route to his 18th career title.

Mickelson and Lickliter needed three drives apiece at the tricky par-four 17th hole. After both players found a hazard and took provisionals, Mickelson's third tee shot hit a tree and ricocheted into the rough to the left of the fairway.

With Lickliter safely positioned off the tee, Mickelson got within 25 feet with his fourth shot and two-putted for a double-bogey six. Lickliter sent a 12-foot bogey-putt five feet past the hole and missed the shot that would have extended the playoff.