Quinney gave “Lefty” all he could handle, but he imploded in the fourth round. Three consecutive bogeys erased a lead with nine holes remaining — a bogey binge that negated a hole-in-one he made in the third round.

Despite finishing second, two strokes behind Mickelson, Quinney still pocketed $669,600 for his biggest payday yet in his second year on the PGA Tour.

While Quinney wouldn’t classify Mickelson as his idol when he was at ASU, he isn’t hesitant about admitting how much respect he has for the veteran pro.

“Without question, I looked up to him,” said Quinney, who like Mickelson, won the U.S. Amateur Championship. “I remember being in my apartment and a roommate told me that [Mickelson] was at a [local] driving range one day. I was really upset because I wasn’t able to go and hang out with him.\

“When I was at ASU, I looked up to a superstar like him. But, now, it’s a different feeling when you’re going head to head and trying to beat him.”

Quinney looked like he might have a chance to beat Mickelson at the NTO when he aced the par-three, 163-yard sixth hole at Riviera and finished with a three-round total of 203 that was 10-under-par.

But Quinney’s strong suit, his putting, failed him on the back nine in the fourth round, and Mickelson eked out the victory.

Quinney, admittedly, caught some flack after his ace when he tried to emulate other pro athletes and chest-bump his caddy, but came away looking rather foolish.

“I didn’t know if I should have high-fived him or what,” Quinney said sheepishly. “But it was an amazing feeling. I’ll have to work on it in case I do it again.”

After the first weekend in March, Quinney ranked 16th on the money list with $849,269, having made the cut in five of the six events he had entered. He was also third in putting (1.708 per hole), tied for 11th in birdies (4.17 per round) and tied for 23rd in scoring average (70.13). He also had 3,479 points to rank 16th in the FedEx Cup standings.

Quinney was in the running for Rookie of the Year last year, before eventually losing out to Brandt Snedeker. Still, he finished 41st on the money list with $1,612,056 and posted five top-10 finishes.

“You really can’t dream about what I’ve accomplished,” said Quinney, who resides in Scottsdale. “I guess you’d have to say I’ve exceeded my expectations.”

Even though it’s way down the road, Quinney is eyeing the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

“That’s my goal — to get into that tournament,” he said. “I love the course and feel I would do well if I can get there.”