The Tiger is back on top

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 9/15/2004
 

Check the history books — it does not happen often, but what separates Tiger Woods from all the others is that he has the ability to do what others can only dream of. After losing the number-one ranking in the World of Golf for 26 weeks to V.J. Singh last September, Woods is back on top.

Woods rallied from six shots back after 36 holes to out-duel red-hot Phil Mickelson, who had won his last two stroke play tournaments wire to wire.

Mickelson, the defending Masters champion, has been playing the best golf of his career. He has been hot since December, shooting 59, 60 and 62 since switching to Callaway. 

Currently, Mickelson is number one on the PGA Tour Money list with $2,723,056; Tiger is number two with $2,236,333. It was a duel for the ages with Mickelson carrying a two-shot lead into the final round at the famed Blue Monster at Doral. It was the first time the two stars were paired together since last fall’s Ryder Cup.

Woods kept the heat on Mickelson, matching his birdie on the very first hole and not allowing Mickelson to gain an early edge. By bombing it off the tee, Woods grabbed his first lead in the tournament after a spectacular eagle on the par 5 12th hole.

When Woods carried a 3-wood shot 290 yards over a bunker and made the putt to take a two-shot lead, Mickelson responded with back-to-back birdies on the next two holes to tie for the lead.

Mickelson had chances to take the lead at both 15 and 16, but missed short putts. On the 17th hole, Woods regained the lead at 24 under par with a birdie, and made a 6-foot par putt on 18 after Mickelson barely missed chipping in.

Woods is now 3-0 when playing head-to-head against Mickelson in the final group. He beat him at the 2001 Masters and the 2003 Buick Invitational. A disappointed Mickelson said, “When I come back to the Players Championship and the Masters, I’m going to be ready.”

Woods set a course record, shooting a 264 total, 24 under par. It’s the sixth PGA tour event where Woods has at least a share of the 72-hole course record. Woods has now won 42 times in his career and is ninth on the all-time list.

Fitz Notes & Quotes

Vikings owner Red McCombs last week found a way to insult both would-be owner Reggie Fowler and Head Coach Mike Tice. First, he approved the trade of superstar Randy Moss to Oakland while the sale of the team is being reviewed by the NFL Management Council.

And, McCombs told all last week at a news conference, saying he considered firing Head Coach Mike Tice last season after the team started 5-1 and finished 8-8.

I asked Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor the other day if he had sold the Timberwolves and traded MVP Kevin Garnett before the sale was complete, how much would that change the value of the franchise?

Taylor said, “I can tell you that the new owners would not be happy about it.”

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio, 89.9 FM, at 8:20 am, and Monday evenings 6-7 pm. He welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.