Mickelson knows there's something missing
- |
NORTON - That thought you get when you look at the
He'd like to think he's over it, but he's not.
Yes, in theory, this is what Mickelson's utopia should look like: Woods laid up with a knee injury, his return set for sometime in 2009, and the PGA Tour landscape wide open.
But that utopia is flawed, and that's what Mickelson thinks about.
"If Tiger was not around and I was able to be the No. 1 player in the world," he said, "I'd be making half as much money as I am now."
Mickelson isn't afraid to say he needs Woods.
"We all do," he said. "The ratings have suffered as well as attendance, and so the game as a whole suffers when he's not in the field.'
But, in Mickelson's case, Woods is the ultimate measuring stick, and Mickelson needs him to remind how good he can be.
Remember last year's Deutsche Bank?
Mickelson does.
"Very fondly," he said.
He had a one-shot lead over Woods going into the final round, and everything that usually happens to Mickelson (see his epic collapse at the 2006 US Open) could have happened, but didn't.
Some people in the gallery wanted him to choke, but he didn't.
The tournament came down to the final hole, a 528-yard par 5, Woods down a stroke. Woods coughed. Not Mickelson.
The win wasn't nearly as big as the moment.
Woods had to shake Mickelson's hand, mouth so tight it looked like as if his teeth were wired shut. He had to watch Mickelson hold the trophy. And for once, Woods had to explain to the media what happened on the last two holes. Not Mickelson.
"I loved the opportunity to have won the tournament," he said. "But I also loved the way it happened."
You would think Mickelson would be first in line to capitalize on a Tiger-less field, but Woods hasn't played since winning the US Open, and Mickelson's play in five tournaments since Woods's absence has been spotty at best.
Mickelson was tied with Vijay Singh for the lead in the Bridgestone Invitational but bogeyed three of the last four holes and wound up fourth.
The only thing that saved him from missing the cut at the British Open after an opening-round 79 was a second-round 68. He finished tied for 19th.
He was consistent at the PGA Championship (70-73-71-70), but he finished tied for seventh. Nothing's changed about Mickelson's game since Woods left, but he hasn't been able to cash in.
"I've played the same way I've played throughout the year," Mickelson said. "I just haven't been scoring the way I would like. Even though I feel like I'm playing better, the little shots around the greens have cost me. But I'm starting to get that turned around and I expect to have a much better week this week."
After playing the pro-am yesterday with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and New York's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, Mickelson said he felt like he was hitting the ball well.
On and off the course, the Deutsche Bank experience has been pretty good for Mickelson. Last year, he went to a game at Fenway and wound up seeing Clay Buchholz spin a no-hitter against the Orioles.
"I love going to games [at Fenway]," he said. "Seeing the no-hitter will be hard to match, but still, the experience of going to the park is something special."
The hope is that he can recreate that same special feeling - on the golf course.
"I certainly feel confident when I play this course because of last year's success," he said. "I certainly feel good, have a lot of good memories, and enjoy the challenge of each shot out here. I think having won here always makes it - I don't want to say easier, but makes it a more positive experience."
The entire experience is different without his biggest rival, however.
"I think we're lucky to have the most recognizable, largest icon in all of sport playing ours," he said.
Which is why Mickelson is not thinking about the No. 1 ranking. Especially, as he says, when the top-ranked player has "had the success and the charisma and the lure to attract corporate America as well as fans to the game."
Part of Mickelson is eager for Woods to return, if only because he knows what it means to beat the top player head to head.
"I'm not ruling out the possibility, with a little bit of work, of trying to get there," he said of the No. 1 ranking. "But I'm saying we're all fortunate, and that goes for everybody in this room."
