Holmes puts away Mickelson in playoff.

Byline: The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - J.B. Holmes failed to birdie the 18th hole in the first three rounds of the FBR Open. Then he did it twice Sunday, coming back from the brink of defeat to steal a victory from one of the biggest names in golf.

Holmes' 13-foot birdie putt forced a playoff with Phil Mickelson, then moments later he sank an eight-footer after a monster, 359-yard drive to win the tournament for the second time in three years.

"I can play under pressure, I guess," he said.

Holmes, whose victory as a rookie at the FBR in 2006 is his only other PGA Tour win, had blown a four-stroke lead and was one shot behind going to the 18th. Mickelson seemed destined for his third victory in the tournament and 33rd of his career.

But the 25-year-old Kentuckian smashed a 350-yard drive that landed near a fence far left of the fairway. He was given a drop, then hit his second shot out of the rough 13 feet from the pin to set up the putt that put him at 14-under 270 and forced the playoff.

Holmes' playoff tee shot went straight and deep down the fairway. He walked away from the drive like Barry Bonds after a home run.

"I smoked it," Holmes said. "I thought it went farther than it did."

Holmes second shot came to rest just eight feet from victory.

"Starting the day, I would have gladly taken getting into a playoff," Mickelson said, "but I've got to give J.B. a lot of credit for birdieing the last hole and birdieing again to get in the playoff. That's pretty impressive golf."

Holmes was not intimidated going into a playoff against the second-ranked player in the world.

"I felt like I had the advantage," he said. "I could hit it over the bunker. He'd been sitting in the clubhouse. I was loose. I was ready."

Holmes shot a final round of even-par 71.

Charles Warren finished third at 13 under. Five tied at 12 under, including former University of Oregon golfer Ben Crane, who shot a 70.

South Eugene High School alum Jeff Quinney shot a 66 to finish at 19 under.

Lyle uses 63 to capture first Nationwide victory

MORELIA, Mexico - Australia's Jarrod Lyle won the Mexico Open for his first Nationwide Tour victory, closing with an 8-under 63 on Sunday for a five-stroke victory over American rookie Matthew Every.

Lyle, 164th on the PGA Tour money list last year with $390,303, had an eagle and four birdies on the final six holes on the front nine and added birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.

The 26-year-old Australian opened with rounds of 68, 69 and 67 en route to a 17-under 267 total.

Webb adds another Australian Open title

MELBOURNE, Australia - Australian star Karrie Webb won her fourth Women's Australian Open title, beating South Korea's Shin Ji-yai with a 10-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole.

Webb, the winner last year at Royal Sydney, and Shin closed with a 6-under 67s at Kingston Heath to finish at 8-under 284.