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Mickelson Looking For A Super Weekend

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

Out at the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., this week, the Super Bowl is in town and Tiger Woods isn't.

Life is good for Phil Mickelson.

It was Mickelson, you might recall, who before the 2000 NFL season bet $20,000 on the Baltimore Ravens to win the Super Bowl at 28-to-1 odds. When the Ravens went on to defeat the New York Giants 34-7, he raked in $560,000.

Now, here is another Super Bowl week just begging to be exploited.

Philly Mick, who can quote statistics and recite starting lineups, likes New England on Sunday.

"I think it's pretty obvious what's going to happen," he said.

Nevertheless, his tout wizardry notwithstanding, Lefty's best chance for a big payday remains TPC Scottsdale.

He is a two-time champion on the course, a hometown favorite who led Arizona State to an NCAA title and arrives fresh off a strong finish at last week's Buick Invitational, climbing into a tie for sixth after starting 70-73. He has eight top-10 finishes at TPC Scottsdale, including four in the last five seasons. In the last five years at the FBR Open, Mickelson has 14 rounds in the 60s (out of 18) and is a collective 60 under par.

And it's not going to hurt that Woods, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia are some 8,000 miles away playing in the Dubai Desert Classic. Incidentally, they are being upstaged by Ian Poulter there.

Poulter, an Englishman noted more for his eye-searing, brightly colored outfits than his golf, appears on the cover of Golf World magazine's UK edition this week dressed in his birthday suit. Covered only by a strategically placed bright pink golf bag, Poulter is "laid bare," announcing himself as the only player in golf capable of challenging Woods.

"I just don't rate anyone else," Poulter says. "Now, don't get me wrong, I really respect everyone who is a professional golfer. But, the problem is, I know I haven't played to my full potential yet. And when that happens, it will just be me and Tiger."

Mickelson can't say he hasn't been warned.

Next Best Thing

Nevertheless, until someone proves otherwise, Lefty remains the consensus pick as the player most likely to occasionally annoy Woods.

He had three wins last season, including a head-to-head showdown with the world's No. 1 player, despite weathering an injured wrist suffered while practicing for the U.S. Open. He showed up for his season debut last week at the Buick noticeably slimmer. He continues to make swing adjustments he began last year with new coach Butch Harmon, working on keeping his driver under control down stretch runs.

"When I started working with Butch, it's been driving," Mickelson said Wednesday at TPC Scottsdale. "I've been trying to drive the golf ball better, and I feel like I've been doing that. That's been coming around, so I feel very ... feel much better off the tee. But it ultimately will come down to 150 yards and in, chipping, putting, short iron shots, getting them close, and so that's going to be a critical part to playing well and to winning. But fortunately I'm hitting more fairways or I'm hitting the ball less off line, and because of that I'm able to play much more aggressive."

And even in golfer years, at 37 he still is young.

Ready For His Homecoming

Preparation for this season may be dragging slightly behind because of some recent respiratory problems and bronchitis, but Mickelson remains the next best thing to Tiger.

"It's fun for me to come back here," Mickelson said. "I love playing here in the Phoenix Open because it was a special place for me living here for 12 years and coming out and competing in this event, having won it twice. I think coming down the final four or five holes there's a feeling in this event that you don't get at any other tournament, and I think it's one of the more exciting events that we have on the PGA Tour.

"I would love to be in contention and have a chance again on Sunday."

Wouldn't that be super?

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