Players vie for ranking points to secure spot at CA Championship

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DORAL, Fla. -- Phil Mickelson, fresh off his 2010 season debut, will defend the first of three titles he claimed in 2009 this week at the Northern Trust Open.

The No. 2-ranked player in the world, according to the Official World Golf Ranking, won't have to wait long to open his second title defense as the 2010 World Golf Championships-CA Championship fast approaches. Not only will Mickelson face an elite field of the best players from around the world when he opens his title defense in South Florida, but will also encounter one of the toughest venues on the PGA TOUR, TPC Doral Blue Monster.

In his first competitive action since claiming his second World Golf Championships title at the WGC-HSBC Champions in November, Mickelson finished 19th last week at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego. Mickelson was in position to make a run at the lead, entering the final round just four shots off the pace, but struggled to a final round 1-over 73 on the South Course at Torrey Pines. He will make the short trip north to Riviera Country Club and the Northern Trust Open this week, where he earned a one-shot victory over Steve Stricker, the No. 3 ranked player in the OWGR, last year. Mickelson also claimed the Northern Trust Open in 2008 and will look to become the first player to earn three consecutive titles in the event's rich history.

A 37-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Mickelson broke through for his first victory in a World Golf Championships event last year at the CA Championship, outlasting young Nick Watney for a one-shot victory at last year's CA Championship. Prior to the victory, the three-time major champion had produced 12 top-10s in 27 starts in the World Golf Championships.

With just over four weeks remaining, time is winding down for players to secure their spot within the top 50 of the OWGR and earn an invitation to the CA Championship. In addition to this week's Northern Trust Open on the PGA TOUR, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour offers the opportunity for players on the bubble to improve their position.

Players in the field at the Northern Trust Open looking to either solidify their within the top 50 or move inside that coveted number in the OWGR include five-time PGA TOUR winner Rory Sabbatini (No. 47), Ryan Moore (No. 49), who earned his first PGA TOUR victory last August at the Wyndham Championship and 2009 U.S. Presidents Cup team member Justin Leonard (No. 54). Also in the field this week is Farmers Insurance Open champion Ben Crane, who improved 53 spots from No. 109 to No. 56 with his victory in San Diego. Crane can also earn an invitation to the CA Championship if he remains in the top 10 in this year's FedExCup standings as of March 8. He currently ranks No. 3.

On the European Tour, Italy's Edoardo Molinari (No. 53) will look for a solid finish this week to improve his position in the OWGR and join his brother, Franceso (No. 42), who has already qualified for the CA Championship via his standing in the final 2009 Race to Dubai standings. Also in action in Dubai are Sweden's Alexander Noren (No. 58) and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez (No. 59).

In addition to the top 50 players in the OWGR (as of both March 1 and March 8), the field for the CA Championship will also feature the top-two players from the different professional tours around the world that make up the International Federation of PGA Tours (Japan Golf Tour, Australasian, Sunshine and Asian), the top 30 players from the final 2009 FedExCup standings, the top 20 players from the 2009 European Tour Order of Merit and the top 10 players from both the 2010 FedExCup standings and 2010 European Tour Order of Merit, if not otherwise qualified (as of March 8 and March 1, respectively).