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Charles Howell III ended a five-year title drought on the PGA Tour with a play-off victory over fellow American Phil Mickelson at the Nissan Open on Sunday. Augusta native Howell, who charged up the leaderboard with three birdies in the last five holes of regulation play, sealed his second Tour win with a four-foot par putt at the third extra hole.

Ernie Els was in upbeat mood after tying for third at the Nissan Open on Sunday in his first PGA Tour appearance of the year. The big-hitting South African stormed into contention with four birdies in the first seven holes on his way to a four-under-par 67 at Riviera Country Club.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson survived three late bogeys and an errant putter to take a one-shot lead over Padraig Harrington in the Nissan Open third round Saturday. Mickelson recovered with a birdie at the par-five 17th before completing a two-under-par 69 at a sweltering Riviera Country Club.

Phil Mickelson spectacularly eagled the par-five 17th on his way to a share of the lead with Ireland’s Padraig Harrington in the Nissan Open second round on Friday.
Masters champion Mickelson rolled in a 15-foot putt to join Harrington at the top of the leader board before completing a six-under-par 65 on a sun-baked day at Riviera Country Club.