Mickelson ends drought

LAQUINTA, Calif. -- Phil Mickelson can hardly wait to tee it up again.

Mickelson birdied the first playoff hole to beat Skip Kendall in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic on Sunday and end an 18-month winless streak.

"It's terrific. I can't wait to do it again. I want it next week," said Mickelson, who had dropped from second to 16th in the world rankings. "I just have so much fun when I'm playing well.

"Not having been there last year, I realize how much I missed it."

The 2002 Hope champion, he rolled a 3-foot birdie putt into the center of the cup to win it again. He earned $810,000 for his 22nd PGA Tour victory.

Kendall was left still looking for his first tour victory. He was runner-up for the fourth time in his career, losing three times in playoffs.

Mickelson, making his 2004 debut, closed with a 4-under 68 to match Kendall (65) at 30-under 330 in the 90-hole tournament.

After each birdied the final hole, they returned to the 18th tee to begin the playoff. Both hit their drives down the center, then Kendall pulled his second shot into the left rough beside the green on the 543-yard par 5. Mickelson's second shot went into the rough on the other side, but considerably closer to the hole.

Kendall chipped onto the putting surface, then missed his 20-foot birdie try. Mickelson's chip left him the short putt, and he confidently stroked it in to wrap up a day when he had some problems on the green.

The 39-year-old Kendall, 0-for-294 in tour events, said, "I played my heart out. It's hard to take, but I'm glad I was there.

"I'm getting older, too, and I feel like I'm still progressing as a player. People sometimes ask me, 'Well, what's been your highlight in golf?' I say, 'Stay tuned."'

Jay Haas, 50, the 1988 tournament champion and runner-up to Mike Weir a year ago, finished third with a 67 that left him one shot behind Mickelson and Kendall.

Jonathan Kaye shot a 64 to finish fourth at 332.

Kirk Triplett, tied with Mickelson going into the final round and bogey-free in the tournament, had four bogeys and a double bogey in a 74 that left him six strokes back.

Kendall, playing in the group in front of Mickelson, and Mickelson matched similar birdies on No. 18 to force the playoff.

MasterCard Championship

Fuzzy Zoeller won the season-opening MasterCard Championship in Hawaii, birdieing the final three holes for an 8-under 64 and a one-stroke victory over Dana Quigley.

Zoeller sank an 18-foot birdie put on the 54th hole of the tournament to finish at 20-under 196. Zoeller, third last year, earned $268,000 for his second Champions Tour title.

Quigley, the 2003 winner, shot a 65. Craig Stadler matched the tournament record of 63 to tie for third with Doug Tewell (69) at 18-under 198.

Dunhill Championship

Germany's Marcel Siem made a 10-foot birdie putt on the third hole of a playoff with France's Raphael Jacquelin to win the Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Siem closed with a 6-under 66 to match Jacquelin (67) and France's Gregory and Havret (67) at 22-under 266. Havret was eliminated on the second extra hole.

--From wire reports