Tiger meet Phil. Phil Meet Tiger

Tiger and Phil. In only the third meeting between the two superstars (Can you have a golf superstar?), Tiger claimed the #1 World Ranking by edging Mickelson by one stroke. Mickleson had a chance to tie Woods on 18, but his chip rimmed out. You can't get closer than that. Would keeping the pin in help his cause? Perhaps? Most pros take out the pin, when they are going for it. Most duffers like myself, leave it in so I don't BLOW it by.

Many times when you have a match-up of two heavyweights you might get Ali-Frazier. But sometimes you get Ruiz-Oquendo. In two previous tournaments where both went head-to-head on the final day, Woods won both meetings. But that was before the SLUMP!

Okay, I guess it was a slump. He hasn't won a major in a while. But hey before last year, Mickleson hadn't ever won one. So obviously, winning majors is a difficult thing to do. When the second-best golfer in the world (2nd best American, then, Mr. Els and Mr. Singh) can only pick up ONE major tournament victory, we're talking about something with a high difficulty level. So why is it that going a year or two or even three without a major victory something to call a slump. Well, the people who care about that, are the media. Because they know their ratings are not nearly as high when Tiger's losing than when he's winning. This weekend's Sunday's ratings were the highest for the Doral in 15 years. And the best overnight since last year's U.S. Open!

Television ratings aren't always indicative of compelling television. Look at the Beverly Hillbillies. But yesterday was great television. When things started to heat up in the back 9 you saw Tiger pick up the 2 strokes he was behind on #10. Then Tiger's putter put Woods up 2 strokes with a 25 footer for Eagle at #12. But Mickleson was unfazed and birdied the next two to bring the "match" all-square. This was what it was ALL about.

There is one thing about the Ryder Cup that is unmatched by the normal stroke play tournaments. Two golfers battling out mano-a-mano. Unfortunately, the drama isn't captured during the World Match Play Championships like they really should. But this match held the drama.

Tiger rarely loses leads. And Mickleson had opportunties on 15 and 16 to take the lead. Both players on 16 bogeyed, with Tiger trying to OUT drive himself from the day before when he drove the 370 yard hole. It was playing an additional 15 yards on Sunday, but Tiger pulled out the most devastating swing ever. But ended up in the right rough. His second shot chip fell into the sand, leaving Mickleson wide-open for the kill. This was the kinda moment for which Mickleson had been previously criticized. Agressive drives, when a simple play would win the tournament. And now it was Woods who was being agressive. If he wasn't playing Mickleson, would he have pulled out his 3 wood, or as my Dad says his stinger 2-Iron. Probably not.

But when Mickleson didn't make Woods pay for his agressiveness, Woods made a clutch birdie on 17 and it was all over. OR WAS IT??? On 18, with Tiger looking at Par, the best chipper in the world was looking at chance to hole one out for a playoff. AND IT RIMMED OUT! Check out Phil's er... REACTION...

If Tiger's back... just when the competition like Els, Singh, Mickleson and company are raising their game, then we might be about to hit the GLORY days of golf! I can't wait!

• Murphy | Weekend Cooler
• Put an Asterisk on this one.
• Tiger wins Doral

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Intelligent Design WOULD NOT be a way to describe how Ed Wade has handled the Phillies, as Curt Schilling might say. It seems that there personality of Curt Schilling was more important to Mr. Wade than the actual pitcher. Good job Mr. Wade. This is a make or break year for you. I'm not kidding. We'll have more to say about this as we approach the season. I still have to give you the reasons why I renewed my season tickets. And we'll explore further why Ed Wade will be on the hot seat and why. And i will also get to trying to explain why I hate some of my fellow Phillies' fans.

• Curt Schilling and Ed Wade don't like each other.Surprise... surprise... surprise...
• Why we should help the 3rd World
• The Intelligent Design folks are at it again. And in MORE numbers.