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Rivalries drive sports. Every era - think Ali-Frazier, Nicklaus-Palmer and McEnroe-Connors - and every sport - such as Bears-Packers, Lakers-Celtics and Yankees-Red Sox - have matchups and games that bring out the passion in fans. When it comes to golf today, it's Tiger Woods-Fill In The Blank. A rivalry can't be formed because no one has stepped up over the years to challenge the world's top-ranked golfer. There have been many No. 2s during his reign, but have they really tried harder? Again, tough to tell, but wouldn't it be great if someone - paging Phil Mickelson - surfaced to give golf fans what they really want? Both Woods and Mickelson are Southern California natives, and both have enjoyed great success on the West Coast Swing, which begins this month. Woods has won 10 times during this portion of the PGA Tour calendar, while Mickelson has hoisted a trophy 14 times. But while no other golfer has come close to matching the duo's local successes, Southland fans have been denied a pulse-pounding finish between the two down the stretch. The closest they've come is the 2003 Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines. Mickelson and Brad Faxon trailed Woods by a stroke heading into the final round and were in the final pairing. But Woods birdied three of the first six holes to quickly end any drama en route to a five-stroke victory. Mickelson and Woods also were tied after 12 holes of the Buick's final round in 2006 - along with a gaggle of other players. But three consecutive bogeys by Mickelson knocked him out of contention. It wasn't even close at last year's Buick, the only Southern California tour event Woods and Mickelson played in at the same time. While Woods supplied theatrics - storming back from three down on the final day to win his third consecutive title - Mickelson only managed one sub-par round. So is this the year that the world's No. 1- and No. 2-ranked players from Southern California finally give the people a taste of what golf fans in the 1960s experienced with Palmer-Nicklaus, and a decade later with Nicklaus-Watson? "I don't think there's any golf fan who doesn't want to see the best players go against each other, and with them both being from the same area, who wouldn't love to see that in person?" said Tom Pulchinski, tournament director of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. "Anyone on the West Coast would love to see that, whether it happened here, San Diego or Pebble Beach. And from a national standpoint, Tiger versus Phil would be huge." Of the three Southern California stops on the West Coast Swing, the Buick Invitational would seem to be the prime location for a head-to-head duel. Both have had great success at Torrey Pines, and it's the one tour stop neither has missed since turning professional. Mickelson has won the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic twice, but Woods has never played the event. And their recent history at Riviera is spotty. Woods has entered the event every year but the past two, and he has a tournament in Dubai scheduled two weeks before this year's Northern Trust Open. "We certainly hope he plays, as we hope all the best players will," Pulchinski said. "We've been lucky to have him 10 out of the past 12 years." The World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, which Woods has won twice, will be held in Tucson the week after the Northern Trust Open, so that bodes well for a strong field - including Woods - showing up at Riviera. Though Woods has finished second twice at the Northern Trust Open - including a playoff loss to Billy Mayfair in 1998 when it was played at Valencia Country Club - he has never won at Riviera. The same holds true for Mickelson, whose best finish came last year when he lost in a playoff to Charles Howell III. It was only Mickelson's second tournament at Riviera since 1999. While it's anyone's guess whether the two top players in the world will play Riviera, odds are they'll both be at Torrey Pines this month. "I think the fact they both grew up in Southern California and Phil now lives here again and Tiger certainly has a lot of friends in the area is why they always play," said Tom Wilson, executive director of the Century Club, which organizes the Buick Invitational. "Plus, they've always had great success on this course ... and it doesn't hurt that Tiger is a spokesman for our title sponsor." But there's another reason why, barring a freak act of nature, you'll see Mickelson and Woods in La Jolla this month. They and many of the top golfers in the world will be prepping for the U.S. Open in June, which also will be held at Torrey Pines. Picture this scenario: for the first time in their storied careers, Mickelson and Woods are tied on the 15th hole in the final group on the final day. At a major tournament. In La Jolla. That potential story line could make their long-awaited duel in the sun worth the wait. SG |
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