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Genesis Open: Power ranking the top 10 at Riviera

By Mike Randleman

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Spectators look on as Phil Mickelson putts on the 18th green during the final round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2018 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Spectators look on as Phil Mickelson putts on the 18th green during the final round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2018 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Phil Mickelson of USA with the trophy after winning the final round of the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club February 22, 2009 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Phil Mickelson of USA with the trophy after winning the final round of the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club February 22, 2009 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

Phil the Thrill never ceases to amaze. The 48-year-old lefty comes to the Genesis Open on a high after prevailing by three (19-under) over Paul Casey in a Monday finish at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His score in relation to par tied for second lowest since 2007 when he won at 20-under.

Some wondered if his near-miss at the Desert Classic where he led on Sunday and finished one off the pace at T2 was just a flash in the pan. Clearly not.

He shook off a missed cut at the Phoenix Open to rebound at Pebble.

Now he’s at Riviera Country Club, another site of success for the Californian.

Lefty particularly dominated here from 2007-09 when he finished runner-up then won twice. In 16 career starts at Riv, Mickelson has just three missed cuts (none since 2001) and five top-10s including a T6 last year.

"“…it’s become one of my favorite tournaments on Tour; given that for a number of years I didn’t play here.  I didn’t play well early in my career and ended up choosing to play other tournaments,” Mickelson said in 2013. “And when I came back in 2007, lost in a playoff to Charles Howell and won the following years, I quickly fell in love with the place and I started to appreciate it for its nuances what way wonderful course it is.”"

The ability to shot-shape around Riviera is appealing to Phil and he’s comfortable on poa annua. He drove the ball well by his standards last week (60 percent in the two rounds at Pebble Beach) and was hot with his irons (79.17 GIR).

This is Phil’s third tournament in a row and fourth in five weeks, but that’s old hat for a player who loves to play on the West Coast as much as anyone.

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