La Quinta, Calif. ? Phil Mickelson can hardly wait to tee it up again.

Mickelson defeated Skip Kendall with a birdie on the first playoff hole and stopped an 18-month winless streak Sunday in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

“It’s terrific. I can’t wait to do it again. I want it next week,” said Mickelson, who had 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.”

The 2002 Hope champion, he rolled a three-foot birdie putt into the center of the cup to win it again.

Kendall, 39, was left still looking for his first tour victory. He was runner-up for the fourth time in his career, losing three times in playoffs.

Mickelson, making his 2004 debut, closed with a 4-under 68 to match Kendall (65) at 30-under 330 in the 90-hole tournament.

Kendall, 0-for-294 in tour events, said, “I played my heart out. It’s hard to take, but I’m glad I was there.”

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.