Mickelson up to No3 as he holds on in LA

American Phil Mickelson is up to No3 in the world rankings after holding his nerve to retain the Northern Trust Open title by one shot from Steve Stricker.

Four clear with a round to go and flying when he began with an eagle, Mickelson (above) then had four bogeys to trail Steve Stricker by two with three to play.

But, while Stricker bogeyed the last, Mickelson birdied the 16th and 17th for a one-over round to finish 15 under at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.

"It was certainly my 'A' game in the first and third rounds," he said. "It was just in the last round that I didn't quite have my best stuff."