LOS ANGELES (AP) -Even with a big lead, Steve Stricker expected a tough day. Everyone else expected him to win.
Turns out both sides were right.
Stricker watched a six-shot lead slip to two after just five holes Sunday at Riviera before he steadied himself and closed with a 1-under 70 for a two-shot victory over Luke Donald in the Northern Trust Open.
Stricker won for the fourth time in his last 15 PGA Tour starts and moved up to No. 2 in the world ranking. He has eight tour victories overall.
Stricker didn't make it easy on himself, having to grind for pars as Donald kept pouring in birdies. But after Donald missed two short birdie attempts, Stricker fired off two straight birdies to restore a comfortable margin. He finished at 16-under 268 and earned $1.152 million to go over $25 million for his career.
Donald birdied the 17th to again trim the lead to two shots, but that was as close as he ever got. He closed with a 66. Dustin Johnson had a 66, and J.B. Holmes made a late surge for a 67 to tie for third at 13 under.
Phil Mickelson, trying to become the first player to win three straight years at Riviera, had a 73 and finished 14 shots behind.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Dubai Desert Classic for his 16th European tour title, beating England's Lee Westwood with a 4-foot par putt on the third hole of a playoff.
Westwood missed a 5-foot par putt on the third extra hole.
Both players closed with even-par 72s to finish at 11-under 277. Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (73) was third, a stroke back.
Tom Watson closed with a 68 to tie for eighth at 6 under.
FINGAL, Australia (AP) - Jim Herman won the Moonah Classic for his first Nationwide Tour title, birdieing the first hole of a playoff with fellow American Chris Kirk.
Herman and Kirk closed with 2-under 70s to finish at 11-under 277 at Moonah Links. Herman earned $126,000 in the event also sanctioned by Australasian tour.
American Robert Gates, the New Zealand Open winner last week in his Nationwide debut, shot a 66 to finish third at 10 under.
