February 16-22, 2009: 2009 NORTHERN TRUST OPEN Golf Tournament features Phil Mickelson.  A beautiful golf course setting at the upscale Riviera in Pacific Palisades will feature Phil Mickelson who returns another year to defend his title at the Northern Trust Open.  His win in 2008 – the 33rd (out of 34) of his career – helped propel him to his second consecutive top-10 finish in the FedExCup standings (3rd in 2007, 7th in 2008). Hoping to become the seventh player to successfully defend a title at the tournament, and the first since Mike Weir (2003-04), he’s made six cuts in 10 appearances.

Phil Mickelson’s first win at the 2008 Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club was his 11th win in the state of California. When Phil Mickelson won last year’s Northern Trust Open, he became just the third player to win all four of the current California TOUR events.  The San Diego native joined Billy Casper and Johnny Miller, also California natives from San Diego and San Francisco, respectively, as the only players to win the Buick Invitational, Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and Northern Trust Open in their careers.

Where: Riviera Country Club; Pacific Palisades, CA         Par/Yards: 35-36–71/7,279
Purse: $6,300,000; Winner’s Share: $1,134,000
Format: 72-hole stroke play; Field: 144