The Year of the Mickelson

On the eve of Phil Mickelson's 2010 debut on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the aspirations Phil Mickelson almost assuredly has for this year. With the shocking saga of Tiger Woods unfolding in these past few months, the golfing world has been abuzz. Everyone is speculating when -or even if- Tiger will be back playing golf and how the PGA Tour will manage to fill the gargantuan hole Tiger has left. But I think Phil Mickelson wouldn't be bothered by these turn of events at all; in fact, he might be quite pleased.

Now I'm not suggesting that Phil is happy about the fall from grace Tiger has endured. Rather, I think Phil would be excited at this opportunity to go and seize control as the top dog in golf with everything from the 4 majors to the #1 ranking in the world up for grabs...this is his chance to be The Man.

But why Mickelson? Because Mickelson's skill compares to almost no one else on tour sans Tiger. He bombs the ball, has arguably the best short game, and is clutch. The '06 U.S. Open was an anomaly, and Phil has proven before and after that event that he's still one of the best in the world while operating under pressure. And with the additional work Phil has put into his putting with David Stockton, his game doesn't have any holes.

We have already witnessed what Phil can do with his improved putting, shown by his win at the 2009 HSBC Champions over a killer field as well as a resounding three-stroke victory at last year's Tour Championship over -who else?- Tiger Woods. Yet another disappointment we can draw from Tiger's saga is that we, as fans, may have been robbed of what could have been one of the most exciting seasons ever with the clash between Tiger and a now-surging Phil Mickelson. That would have been a sight to see. Nevertheless, this is the time for Phil Mickelson to fully establish himself as the top golfer on the PGA Tour.

2010 will be the year of Phil Mickelson, and it's all his for the taking.
(At least until Tiger comes back.)