 |
 |
 |
|
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- This was supposed to be Tiger's Masters, but at the halfway mark it's looking more like Phil's Masters. And while Tiger's struggle might be a surprise -- all right, it is a surprise -- Phil's success is not.
Mickelson has won more Masters the past four years than Tiger. Two to one.
|
|
| Phil Mickelson misses this birdie putt on 10, but it was a good day overall. (AP) |
But right now, at 36 holes, if you were obligated to choose between one of the two, Mickelson is the one you'd select in the 2008 Masters.
Phil is three shots out of the lead -- four closer than Woods -- three shots behind Trevor Immelman and tied with Steve Flesch and Ian Poulter. Only Brandt Snedeker stands in between.
Immelman and Snedeker. Players of talent and modest success, but hardly to be compared with Nicklaus and Palmer.
Or hardly to be compared with Mickelson, who's No. 2 behind Tiger in the world rankings. Who has already conquered Augusta National. Who's keeping the ball in play and, more significantly, putting it in the cup.
Phil shot a 4-under-par 68 Friday. Without a bogey. Nothing worse than a par on a course where the greens are evil and the challenge is enormous. Nothing worse than a par at Augusta National, where Tiger had five bogeys in his first 28 holes.
"I thought it was pretty good," Mickelson said of a round that gave him a total of 5-under 139. "I haven't looked back on it yet, but I seemed to put the ball in spots where I was able to make easy pars, and I guess that would be the one key. I allowed myself to make pars, not birdie chances, but easy pars."
It's overstating to suggest Phil was the forgotten man, but at the start of the week, even during the last month, he has been in Tiger's shadow. Partly because Woods went on a five-tournament win streak. Partly because Woods hinted he very well could do the unprecedented, win the pro Grand Slam.
Mickelson, who has his pride, along with 33 tour victories, three of them majors, was diplomatic about the Tiger talk. You know deep down he burns to be the best, but he answered questions about the quest for the Slam with candor. And class.
"He already has won four majors in a row," Mickelson acknowledged, "so it's not an impossible feat. But I think it's the most difficult feat in golf. I think it would be pretty cool to see it done."
Someone wondered if Mickelson believed he could win the Slam, all four majors in a single calendar year. In 2006 he took the Masters and led the U.S. Open going to the 72nd hole before that dreadful double bogey.
