Stricker wins by two shots at Riviera

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Steve Stricker shot a 1-under-par 70 Sunday and won the Northern Trust Open in California, his eighth title on the PGA Tour.

The victory moved Stricker past Phil Mickelson to the world's No. 2 ranking behind Tiger Woods.

Stricker, who led by six strokes entering the final round at the Riviera Country Club, finished the event at 16-under 268.

Luke Donald closed with a 66 and took second place two shots back at 270. Dustin Johnson (66) and J.B. Holmes (67) tied for third at 271.

Rain delays forced the tournament's second round to be completed a day late and some players had to complete the third round Sunday before beginning the final 18 holes.

Stricker won $1.1 million.

"It feels great," he said. "That was hard today. I aged a lot out there today. It was a grind from the get go."

Mickelson, the two-time defending champion, had a final-round 73 and ended up in a tie for 45th place at 282.