Steve Stricker admitted he was scared on his way to winning the Northern Trust Open late on Sunday.

The new world No.2 held off Luke Donald by two strokes at the Riviera Country Club.

But having started the final round with a mammoth six-shot lead the American ace admitted the victory came after a fair few on-course nerves.

“You play scared,” Stricker said afterwards. “The position I was in - it’s a good one.

But if I don’t win the tournament you’re going to be looked upon as the guy who didn’t finish it off.”

Stricker said he found himself trying to avoid mistakes, and sure enough after five holes his lead had dwindled to two strokes, thanks to his own bogey at the par-three fourth and birdies by Donald at the first, third and fifth.

“He looked a little nervous in the beginning,” Donald said.

“I think it’s easier to chase than to be chased. He felt a little bit of pressure.”

Stricker, who returned early Sunday to complete a third round that had been halted by darkness, reasserted himself with birdies at eight and nine and went on to win with a 16-under par total of 268.

Donald carded a five-under par 66 for a 14-under total and, after his 2009 was disrupted by a wrist injury, the world No.23 insisted he was happy with his form.

“I felt good about my game this week, just the fact that I felt like I knew where I was going,” insisted Donald.

“That’s a big step for me and just shows me that I’m working on the right things. I hit a lot of quality shots out there today.”

Further down the field was new world No.3 Phil Mickelson, who had another weekend to forget after finishing well off the pace.

The displaced world No.2 closed with a two-over 73 to end 14 shots behind Stricker - in a disappointing tie for 45th.

‘Lefty’ had arrived at the historic California course last week looking to make history by becoming the first man to win at Riviera three years in a row.