CASPER
New member
ATLANTA (AP)—No matter how much they tinker with the FedEx Cup, there’s never going to be a system that pleases everyone.
That said, it’s hard to argue with this photo op from the PGA Tour’s season-ending moneyfest: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson standing side-by-side on the 18th green at East Lake Golf Club, each of them posing with a trophy of his own.
Woods won the FedEx Cup—and, oh yeah, another $10 million for his overflowing bank account. Mickelson won the Tour Championship to close an emotional roller-coaster of a year with a flourish.
Golf’s two biggest stars, each of them a winner Sunday.
Just what PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem had in mind when he came up with a playoff system to spice things up after all the majors were done.
“Had I put myself in a position to where we had the entire FedEx Cup on the line coming down the stretch, that would have been even more exciting,” Mickelson said. “But I felt like the day turned out well.”
Woods didn’t win a major in a year for the first time since 2004, but it’s hard to complain about a season with six wins and three runner-up finishes—all after recovering from major knee surgery.
“To be as consistent as I have been all year is something that I’m very proud of,” Woods said. “I certainly wouldn’t have expected that.”
Mickelson closed with a 5-under 65 to go from four shots behind to a three-stroke victory, his first since his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring.
“It means a lot to finish the year off on such a good note,” he said. “We’ve been through a lot, and I’m very proud of my wife and my mom on the fight that they’ve been through. We’re in good shape. Although day-to-day is tough, and it’s not easy for them, we’re fortunate that our long-term outlook is good.”
While Mickelson was pulling away in the tournament, the chase was much tighter for the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus. Three other players beyond the Big Two had a legitimate shot at the big prize.
— Kenny Perry started with a two-shot lead and doubled it after two holes, only to implode with poor tee shots, bad chips and missed putts that led to a 74.
— As it became clear Mickelson was headed toward victory, Steve Stricker only needed to finish ahead of Woods. He was in position until he found mud on his ball in the 16th fairway, sailed the green and made consecutive bogeys to shoot a 69.
That said, it’s hard to argue with this photo op from the PGA Tour’s season-ending moneyfest: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson standing side-by-side on the 18th green at East Lake Golf Club, each of them posing with a trophy of his own.
Woods won the FedEx Cup—and, oh yeah, another $10 million for his overflowing bank account. Mickelson won the Tour Championship to close an emotional roller-coaster of a year with a flourish.
Golf’s two biggest stars, each of them a winner Sunday.
Just what PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem had in mind when he came up with a playoff system to spice things up after all the majors were done.
“Had I put myself in a position to where we had the entire FedEx Cup on the line coming down the stretch, that would have been even more exciting,” Mickelson said. “But I felt like the day turned out well.”
Woods didn’t win a major in a year for the first time since 2004, but it’s hard to complain about a season with six wins and three runner-up finishes—all after recovering from major knee surgery.
“To be as consistent as I have been all year is something that I’m very proud of,” Woods said. “I certainly wouldn’t have expected that.”
Mickelson closed with a 5-under 65 to go from four shots behind to a three-stroke victory, his first since his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring.
“It means a lot to finish the year off on such a good note,” he said. “We’ve been through a lot, and I’m very proud of my wife and my mom on the fight that they’ve been through. We’re in good shape. Although day-to-day is tough, and it’s not easy for them, we’re fortunate that our long-term outlook is good.”
While Mickelson was pulling away in the tournament, the chase was much tighter for the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus. Three other players beyond the Big Two had a legitimate shot at the big prize.
— Kenny Perry started with a two-shot lead and doubled it after two holes, only to implode with poor tee shots, bad chips and missed putts that led to a 74.
— As it became clear Mickelson was headed toward victory, Steve Stricker only needed to finish ahead of Woods. He was in position until he found mud on his ball in the 16th fairway, sailed the green and made consecutive bogeys to shoot a 69.
