LOS ANGELES: Steve Stricker held on to win the $6.4 million Northern Trust Open on Sunday, firing a final-round 70 to beat England's Luke Donald by two strokes.

With the win, Stricker will overtake fellow American Phil Mickelson as number two in the world when the new rankings come out this week.

Stricker started the final round at historic Riviera Country Club with a six-shot lead, having returned Sunday morning to complete a third round halted by darkness.

That comfortable cushion had dwindled to two strokes after five holes, but Stricker reasserted himself with back-to-back birdies at the eighth and ninth as he went on to win with a 16-under total of 268.

Donald carded a five-under par 66 for 270.

Dustin Johnson and JB Holmes shared third place on 271. Johnson carded a 66 and Holmes a 67.

Stricker, who turns 43 later this month, improved on his runner-up finish to Mickelson here last year.

Mickelson, trying to become the first player to win at Riviera three years in a row, instead finished well off the pace, closing with a two-over 73 for 282 - tied for 45th.