Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson?
This question has long been debated, but has grown to an even higher level of discussion within the last year. Both of these players possess such extreme golf skills that it makes them seem like gods among mere mortals on the course, much as it was in the eras of Snead vs. Hogan or Nicklaus vs. Palmer. Whom would you take in the clash of titans?
Tiger holds the No. 1 slot in the World Rankings over, you guessed it, Phil Mickelson. The top 2006 money-winner on the PGA Tour is Phil Mickelson with Tiger in the No. 7 slot. The two players are running first and second in Ryder Cup point standings with Tiger holding the edge there.
Phil won the Masters and, if not for a total collapse on the 72nd hole at Winged Foot last month, would have added a third consecutive major championship to his trophy case.
Tiger played well at The Masters, but, as we all know, missed the cut at this year’s U.S. Open.
In last week’s Western Open, Tiger was in contention until the end while Phil struggled with his game. However, a closer look at recent tournaments in which both players have competed shows Mickelson with the much more impressive record.
So I pose this question to you – Whom do you like in the British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club on July 20-23? Do you see Tiger capturing his first major of the year? Or do you think Phil will keep his impressive run in the majors going by winning his second of the year and three of the last four overall?
Will this rivalry continue for the next 5-10 years given that they both are still in their 30s? Tiger has been the man to beat – challengers from Duval, Els and Singh have risen up and then fallen back. But Mickelson remains and appears to be focused on attaining the No. 1 spot in the world. Does Tiger still have the desire given everything he has already accomplished and the recent death of his father? Does the pursuit of Jack Nicklaus and the Golden Bear’s major records still drive him?
My money is on Phil at the British. I think the sting of the U.S. Open collapse will only make him more hungry and inspired. He no longer fears Tiger as I sense he once did when, time and again, we saw him within an eyelash of victory only to have it snatched away by Mr. Woods. The monkey and stigma of being the so-called Best Player to Never Win a Major is no longer there.
But the biggest development to grab my attention is that he no longer takes as many, I repeat, as many risks as he once did. He seems to play smarter shots when he is in contention. Before, you may recall Phil the Swashbuckler attempting to hit a shot of considerable distance over water to a tough hole location while in the hunt. Not always, but many times, we would see the ball going to a watery grave, spoiling any chance of staying within striking distance to then pounce for victory at the finish.
I will not be surprised to see Tiger Woods in one of the final two groups, if not the final pairing on Sunday of the British Open. And if the golf Gods are smiling his playing partner will be, you guessed it, Phil Mickelson. Which player do you like?
