Big hopes soared when everybody's favorite Tiger foil won the Masters in April -- Phil's fourth career major -- to position himself for ownership of golf's world No. 1 ranking for the surprising first time in a wickedly good but not-totally fulfilled career. Except, Lefty hasn't won since and Woods, despite a season to which only a Democratic incumbent could relate, remains top ranked.
"The Masters kind of made the year for me," Mickelson said. "It meant a lot to us emotionally; it meant a lot to me personally. I look back at the year and it really comes down to that one event.
"There were other events I played OK in, but I haven't won any events (since). For me the year was kind of salvaged by that Masters win."
Along the way, Mickelson continued to deal with wife Amy's fight with breast cancer, while also revealing health issues of his own -- psoriatic arthritis.
If that doesn't cut Mickelson some significant slack, what would? Nevertheless, a golden opportunity may have slipped away for the 40-year-old star. Woods' game isn't going to be mentally incapacitated forever. Also, a rich stock of young talent like Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler seems determined to alter golf's immediate landscape.
It just might mean Mickelson's shot at No. 1 is now or never.
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