Stricker holds off Donald in Northern Trust Open

Even with a big lead, Steve Stricker expected a tough day. Everyone else expected him to win.

Turns out both sides were right.

Stricker, a former All-American at the University of Illinois and a three-time Big Ten champion, watched a 6-shot lead slip to 2 after just five holes Sunday at Riviera before he steadied himself and closed with a 1-under 70 for a 2-shot victory over Luke Donald in the Northern Trust Open at Los Angeles.

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 8 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 2 short birdie attempts, Stricker fired off 2 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.

"It was hard today," Stricker said. "I aged a lot out there. It was a grind from the get-go."

Donald, a Northwestern product, birdied the 17th to again trim the lead to 2 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 Desert Classic: 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 at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

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.

Tom Watson closed with a 68 to tie for eighth at 6 under.