“Every player wants to say they’ve won at Riviera.” – NBC Sports’ Johnny Miller

PHIL MICKELSON AIMS FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE NORTHERN TRUST OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP THIS WEEKEND ON NBC SPORTS

“Every player wants to say they’ve won at Riviera.” – NBC Sports’ Miller

“It’s one of the great courses of America.” – NBC Sports’ Hicks on Riviera

Miller & Hicks both choose Colts to win Super Bowl

NEW YORK – Feb. 3, 2010 - On Super Bowl weekend, Phil Mickelson will attempt to become the first player ever to win three consecutive Northern Trust Opens as NBC Sports broadcasts live coverage of the event from Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Saturday 3-6 pm E.T. and (Super Bowl) Sunday 2:30-6 p.m. ET. The field also includes Top 10 players Steve Stricker (#3), Jim Furyk (#5) and Padraig Harrington (#8), as well as current FedExCup leaders Bill Haas (#1) and Ben Crane (#3).

Host Dan Hicks and analyst Johnny Miller, in their 11th season together as NBC’s lead golf team, will anchor the coverage from the 18th hole tower. They are joined by tower reporters Gary Koch and Mark Rolfing; course reporters Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper; and interviewer/essayist Jimmy Roberts.

MILLER ON RIVIERA: “Riviera is a star on its own. It has a special mystique. It’s a real players course. Every player wants to say they’ve won at Riviera. It’s like Pebble Beach in that respect. Winning at Riviera has a different panache. I hope the viewers can feel that from the players.”

HICKS ON RIVIERA: “Anytime you go to a venue like Riviera, it’s special. It’s one of the great courses of America because it exudes so much history.”

MILLER ON PHIL MICKELSON: “The big story is Phil going for three straight. He needs to find the fairways off the tee. With smaller grooves on irons, there is more of a premium to hit the fairways.”

HICKS ON FRED COUPLES: “L.A., Riviera and Fred Couples – it’s a great match. Riviera is one of his favorite venues. It’s a huge shot in the arm for him to play here. And he can win this tournament.”

HICKS ON JERRY WEST: “There is more buzz this year because of Jerry West’s involvement. He has worked as hard as any tournament director I can remember. He’s infused his star power and generated buzz.”

MILLER ON THE SUPER BOWL: “When all is said and done, Peyton Manning may have the best mind in football history and he may end up being the best player. He is a player but almost like a coach out there with an amazing pedigree. But he needs to win more Super Bowls to be regarded as the best so there is some pressure there. This is a dream for New Orleans, a great story. I think they’ll need three forced turnovers to beat the Colts.”

HICKS ON THE SUPER BOWL: “The greatest players come through in the biggest moments. It’s hard to imagine Peyton Manning, with a chance to put his stamp on the game with another Super Bowl title, won’t come through. I have to lean towards the Colts.”

THE HONDA CLASSIC: NBC Sports’ 2010 PGA TOUR coverage resumes with The Honda Classic from the Champion Course at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. the weekend of March 6-7 (3-6 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday).

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