Earlier this season, Phil Mickelson came out with a DVD easily named, "Secrets of the Short Game." The creative short game guru showed all sorts of shots to hit around the green and how best to execute them. On Sunday at East Lake, Mickelson stood behind the 16th green, needing to pull off one of those shots he showed on the video -- a chip from just in the rough to a short pin over the fringe. The short shot came out high, landed soft and went directly in the middle of the cup, leading to a huge fist-pump for Lefty and a three shot lead.
Just like in 2000, when Phil shot a final round 66 to steal the Tour Championship from Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh, Phil fired a Sunday 65 to take his third victory of the 2009 season and first since March 15, at the WGC-CA Championship.
It didn't mean that Woods wasn't going to show up for a little fun. A bogey on the first and 13th, with all pars until the par-5 15th, Tiger was struggling to get the ball in the hole. That was, until he knocked in a 35-footer on 16 moments after playing partner Kenny Perry made one from a similar distance, led to the million dollar smile we've come to love from Tiger and a kind point to Perry for the line.
Unlike the last two season, when the FedEx Cup was basically wrapped up before the final event, this thing was back and forth all day. Steve Stricker had a chance to win the whole thing. So did Sean O'Hair. Even Mickelson, who needed Tiger to finish eighth even with his win, looked like it wasn't completely out of reach as Woods continued to miss birdie putts and Phil continued to make his (at one point in the round, Phil had eight straight one-putts).
The only thing the FedEx Cup people could hope for is if this tournament had one more day to play. Tiger and Phil, together at the top of the leaderboard, for the final big tournament of the season. The FedEx Cup might finally be considered a success after just three years.You can't really pick something better than Mickelson and Woods winning on the same day for golf. A great way to cap the year.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Phil did play great. Today. Tiger was more consistent all year; only his putting stopped him from having his greatest year in golf. I find it laughable that Johhny Miller proclaimed Mickelson was heading to 2010 as the player of the year. Phil has flashes of brilliance, but they are just that flashes. Tiger is the Supernova of the game.
johnny miller comments are always very bias. Stating Phil will win player of the year 2010. Tiger came back in the middle of the year from a severe injury and still wins 6 of 17 touraments.
without tiger golf would be a boredom...
I like Tiger and Phil. They are both great for golf. They are both class acts. I wish Phil didn't make a joke about winning the Tour Championship but he didn't get the Fed Ex cup. That poor attempt at humor was tasteless and very uncharacteristic of Phil. Tiger would NEVER have done that...ever! I wish they were friends but maybe when they get older, like Jack and Arnold, they will bury the hatchet. That will really be good for golf!
Yeah, and three or four years ago Miller said Jeff Quinney would be one of the best players on tour as he was heading into a Saturday. Sunday, "He gone!!" Much like Miller's stupid comments!
Mickelson makes another poor attempt at humor and comes off looking like an ass. The man is just a pill. He should be called Pill Mickelson. Or Pill Dickelson.
It seems Johnnie Miller is always making dumb statements..I was happy for Phil..Tiger will be Player of the Year without a doubt..he had a great year coming back from knee surgery..Now on to the Presidents Cup..Good luck to the Americans
Wait tell next year and the little boy will have someone coming down on his ass.
Wow that is truly amazing, right when I thought it was time for Tiger to be put out to pasture!
Jess
I agree that Phil's attempt at humor was a cheap shot and shows how jealous he is of Tiger's greatness. Tiger's a unanimous choice for player of the year- again. Take that, Phil
You idiots that make the negative comments are only Tiger "fans" who can't stand the idea Lefty kicked Tigers ass all over the course! Phil's got more class in his pinky than you nimrods have in your whole bodies!
You need to mask your hate a little better. Calling people nimrods says more about you than their typical exaggeration because they are golfing fans. So they say things to prove they don't understand the game, but you says things that prove you don't understand LIFE! Tiger represents many things to people who have been denigrated in this society. Let them have their joyous moments. Phil was a little pinched because Tiger won more money than he did; while he won the tournament. Typical alpha male conduct. Both golfers are great at the game and good people!
Hey, Par4thecourse, your boy lefty had a flash. Tiger had the whole year. Tiger won every major stat. Phil wishes Tiger was not born in his era. Without Tiger Phil would be # 1. Phil will go to his grave knowing he played in the shadow of Woods.
And Woods will go to his grave never having surpassed Jack Nicklaus's record of 18 majors.
He's always got it on his mind and that will
be his undoing. He knows that time is running out.
Look what happened when Y.E. Yang beat him at the
PGA. In 5 years Woods will be close to 40 and a has
been.
Most of you need to get up off your knees and stop sucking Tiger's D I C K! Phil is a fan friendly player while Tiger has the personality of a snail LOL..
Tiger is good... yes i wont say he is not. But i would rather see Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus play... Those guys LOVED the game and played with passion. They played with love and respect for the game and the fans not so much for the money (1st place was an average of 175 k).
I do wish that Phil Mickelson wins next year Player of the year. For me Phil is a real golfer unlike Tiger who is someone that is good but is not humble and that takes away from him. He is good and he knows if but he dosent like when other players do to him what he does to them when he chips in or sinks in a 50 + put.
@TED I agree with you...
I agree totally with you about Tiger. To me he is a disgrace to the game when he throws his clubs, swears the (f) word all the time and has a puss on his face almost all the time. What a great role model for our young children
Tiger is the greatest golfer of all time. Mr. Mickelson is a talented golfer. He could be a great talent like Johnny Miller. Ha Ha If it was't for Tiger thousands of people would not watch the golf tournaments and I for one would not. There is no one out there that can compare With Mr. Tiger woods not even the old greats like Ben, Jack, Sam, Arnie or any other great. Come on Let be realistic and non-biased, Tiger is the best and golf would not be the same without him. when he's gone golf will on T.V will suffer in ratings and it does now. Mr. Mickelson does nothing to bring the rating up when Tiger is not playing. So for all you people who are non believers Tiger is the GREATEST NOW AND FOREVER.
"Dr. Lucero" and "bozallon" get a grip on yourself! Tiger is not he greatest of all time and I DO predict Phil will be the player of the year next year. By the way bozallon... Lefty did have a few distractions this year. :o/ I would love to see Tiger against ZPhil when both have their A game. Phil will kick Tigers Ass!
Yeah it would be great to see both with their A games. Their careers have overlapped about 12 - 13 years... I guess Phil must not have his A game nearly as much as Tiger.