Mickelson has edge in sudden-death play-off

Phil Mickelson produced a birdie on the third extra hole to pip his fellow American, Justin Leonard, for the Phoenix Open at Scottsdale, Arizona.

The pair both finished the regulation 72 holes at 15 under par, with Mickelson, 25, shooting a final-round 67, four under par, and 23-year- old Leonard 69.

Sandy Lyle hit a final-round 66 to finish on 273 while fellow Briton Barry Lane's 70 left him on 275.

It was Mickelson's seventh PGA tournament victory and the second this year. He also became the first player to win at Tucson and Phoenix in the same season since Johnny Miller in 1975.

New Zealand's Grant Waite became the 10th player to record a 60 at the event, while Mark Calcavecchia and Curt Byrum both returned 62s, but none of them could catch Mickelson, who had pulled away from them before the final round began.

In the play-off Mickelson's uncanny nerve saw him sink an eight foot putt for a birdie on the first play-off hole and a 20-footer for par on the second to keep up with Leonard, who made shorter putts on each hole.

On the third play-off hole, Leonard missed an eight foot birdie attempt. Mickelson, seemingly immune to pressure, rolled his putt into the centre of the cup.

PHOENIX OPEN (Scottsdale, Arizona) Leading final scores (US unless stated): 269 P Mickelson 69 67 66 66; J Leonard 67 67 66 69 (Mickelson won with a birdie on the third hole of sudden death). 270 T Scherrer 67 70 65 68. 271 M Calcavecchia 72 69 68 62; J Wilson 67 71 67 66. 272 C Byrum 69 69 72 62; S Simpson 67 71 68 66; R Mediate 70 67 68 67; W Austin 65 67 72 68. 273 W Jones 67 67 72 67; S Lyle (GB) 68 72 67 66; B McCallister 69 69 67 68; K Perry 69 69 66 69. 274 A Magee 68 69 69 68; T Watson 68 71 66 69; G Waite (NZ) 70 71 73 60. 275 M Wiebe 70 71 67 67; D Frost (SA) 69 70 69 67; D Pohl 66 72 69 68; B Lane (GB) 68 68 69 70. 276 V Singh (Fiji) 68 69 69 70. 278 J Parnevik (Swe) 67 66 71 74.