Stricker seals Riviera win, moves to No. 2

LOS ANGELES – Steve Stricker won the Northern Trust Open for his fourth victory since May to move to No. 2 in the world ranking on Sunday.

Starting the final round Sunday with a six-shot lead at Riviera, Stricker never had it easy. He led by only two shots after five holes, and still didn’t feel as though he had the tournament wrapped up until he tapped in for a 1-under 70. He finished two ahead of Luke Donald.

Donald had all the momentum on the front nine until missing consecutive putts inside 10 feet. He never got any closer the rest of the day and closed with a 66. Dustin Johnson had a 66 and J.B. Holmes shot 67 to tie for third.

Stricker, the runner-up at Riviera last year, has won four of his last 15 starts and is No. 2 for the second time in his career. (AP)