Text FedExCup Win?
Phil Mickelson
Welcome back to the front lines, Phil Mickelson. This promises to be a great year for Lefty, which he will conclude by winning the FedExCup. We know Phil can win THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola at East Lake; he’s now done that twice, including 2009. I think this will be the year he adds the $10 million bonus to his list of accomplishments.
Hard to believe, but despite the turmoil in his personal life as both his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer, Mickelson wound up winning three times and making more money than he did in 2008 — even though he played three fewer events. Still learning to deal with his physically fitter body, look for Mickelson to win at least one major championship (a third Masters would be fitting) and threaten Tiger’s hold on the No. 1 ranking. His game has never been better and with his head clear of non-golf matters, he’s ready to make this “The Year of Phil.”
Winning the FedExCup is one of the few things Phil Mickelson has yet to accomplish in his sure-to-be World Golf Hall of Fame career, but that will change this year. Mickelson is the only player to finish in the top 10 in the FedExCup standings all three years (he was third in 2007, seventh in 2008 and second in 2009), and you can expect him to make more than 18 starts this year as wife Amy continues to recover from breast cancer.
Mickelson turns 40 next summer, so he feels a sense of urgency to try and accomplish as much as possible in his career before turning his attention elsewhere. He struggled late this year, but the way he finished — winning THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and the World Golf Championships-HSBS Champions — is a sign he’s primed for a stellar 2010 season.
If Tiger Woods returns early enough, it could be a two-man race. If not, Phil Mickelson just might try to run away and hide. He can’t, of course, but don’t forget Steve Stricker.
He’s been close enough times now that he’s getting the hang of this top-of-the-pile thing. But if Mickelson picks up where he left off before his long winter’s nap — and much coveted holidays with the family — we could have a stage set for a long stretch of the Phil-Tiger rivalry.
Steve Stricker
With Tiger Woods winning two of the first three FedExCups, it’s hard to pick against him. And given that Woods won it last year despite making just 17 starts — including a Playoffs push where he won once and finished second twice in four events — I’m hardly ruling a third FedExCup out.
Given the uncertainty over Woods’ return to competition, though, it makes more sense to pick a player who’s in it for the long haul. So I’m going to go with Steve Stricker, who has shown the ability to get hot in the Playoffs — finishing second in 2007 and third in 2009.He’s had seven top-10s in 12 Playoffs events, including wins on two different venues.
Tiger Woods
Normally, this is where you would insert Tiger Woods’ name with all the standard reasons to follow. Best in the game, won it both times he was healthy, etc. Now? We don’t know when — or if — Woods will play in 2010.
And if he does, what kind of shape will his game be in? This is truly uncharted territory for Woods. If Woods does miss significant time, you have to think that will be a pretty good opportunity for Phil Mickelson to step in.
Mickelson finished second, seventh and third in the FedExCup the last three years and is coming off a 2009 that ended with impressive wins at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.
Tiger Woods will win the FedExCup because he is Tiger. Do I really have to come up with 150 words explaining that? He has won on every course that the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup will be conducted on next year.
He is the best player in the world and he is Tiger Woods. Tiger has been the leading points-getter leading into the Plyoffs each of the three years that it has been in existence. Before you go check — yes, he did lead the Regular Season in 2008 even though he only played six events. Remember, he did win four of those six. To put that into a proper prospective, Phil Mickelson won four times last year, and it was the most wins that he had ever had in a single season.
Who will be in Winner List of 2010? ( I )
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