Could the Deutsche Bank Championship again be the place where Woods loses the No. 1 ranking? Nine times previously this season, Phil Mickelson has entered a tournament with the chance to take over the top spot.
The 2010 Deutsche Bank is chance No. 10 for Mickelson, and he's in the best position so far to actually make it happen. To become No. 1 today, Mickelson must have one of these scenarios play out:
- Win and it doesn't matter where Woods finishes
- Finish second, so long as Woods finishes fourth or lower
- Finish third, so long as Woods finishes 10th or lower
- Finish fourth, so long as Woods finishes 25th or lower and Steve Stricker doesn't win
This is Mickelson's best chance because he doesn't have to win, he's playing well, and it's Day 4 and he's tied for sixth place entering the final round.
(Stricker also has a shot at No. 1: He must win the Deutsche Bank while Woods finishes lower than third and Mickelson finishes outside the Top 9.)
Mickelson has taken some grief for not getting it done already, and he'll take more grief if he fails to seize No. 1 today. But he doesn't deserve the grief. Going 10 tournaments without winning is nothing unusual in golf - it's the norm. Failing to win a tournament when you badly want to win it is nothing unusual - it's the norm.
Mickelson has won 38 times in his career, more than anyone of his generation except Woods, more than only 11 other guys in the history of the sport. But in his career, Mickelson has had two seasons where he failed to win a tournament, and two other years where he finished with just one victory (as he has now). It won't be a lack of heart or a lack of nerve if Mickelson doesn't take over No. 1 today (or ever). Failing is the nature of golf, even for the greats of the game.
Comments