Mickelson's 2004 off to good start; Hope win is proof

Skip Kendall was a runner-up for the fourth time in his career. He's lost three times in playoffs.
LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) -- Phil Mickelson put 2003 -- and his winless streak -- behind him.
Mickelson won for the first time in 18 months Sunday, beating Skip Kendall on the first playoff hole in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
Far more significant than Mickelson's struggles with his game last year was a terrifying time when wife Amy and their son were in danger during childbirth.
They are both fine now, and Mickelson was eager to get 2004 off to a good start.
Anxious pair
With Amy looking on, he confidently rolled in a 3-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole after finishing with a 4-under 68 to match Kendall at 30-under in the 90-hole tournament.
"Amy and I just counted the days until this year started," said Mickelson, who made his season debut in the Hope. "I was just itching, watching those guys play over in Hawaii."
Mickelson is heading for Scottsdale, Ariz., for this week's tournament, and he's eager to be in contention when Sunday rolls around.
"I can't wait to do it again," said Mickelson, who dropped from second to 16th in the world rankings. "I just have so much fun when I'm playing well.
"Not having been there last year, I realize how much I missed it."
Mickelson ran his record in playoffs to 6-1.
Kendall, who shot a 64 on the final day, was left looking for his first tour victory. He was runner-up for the fourth time in his career, losing three times in playoffs.
"It hurts," he said. "I played my heart out. It's hard to take, but I'm glad I was there."
Kendall, 39, is 0-for-294 tour events.
More to come
"I feel like I'm still progressing as a player," he said. "People sometimes ask me, 'Well, what's been your highlight in golf?' I say, 'Stay tuned.' "
Mickelson will stay tuned.
'I know that his day will come. He's been in contention too often for it not to," he said. "I'm just fortunate that today it wasn't at my expense."
Kendall, playing in the group ahead of Mickelson, made a short birdie putt on 18, then Mickelson made a similar birdie putt to force the playoff.
They returned to the 18th tee to begin the playoff, and both hit their drives down the center. Kendall pulled his second shot into the left rough beside the green on the 543-yard par 5. Mickelson's second shot went into the rough on the other side, but considerably closer to the hole.
Kendall chipped onto the putting surface, then missed his 20-foot birdie try. Mickelson's chip left him the short putt, and he knocked it in for the victory, tipping his cap and smiling.
Haas third
Jay Haas, 50, the 1988 tournament champion and runner-up to Mike Weir a year ago, finished third with a 67 that left him one shot behind Mickelson and Kendall.
Jonathan Kaye shot a 64 to finish fourth at 332.
Kirk Triplett, tied with Mickelson going into the final round and bogey-free in the tournament, had four bogeys and a double bogey in a 74 that left him six strokes back.
It was the 22nd tour victory for the 33-year-old Mickelson, who has yet to win a major.