Phil Mickelson throws his weight behind Tiger Woods ahead of the President’s Cup
Top ranking American player Phil Mickelson has always been a staunch supporter of the former world number one Tiger Woods, despite his lingering controversies and bad form. Mickelson is one of the few players who are well aware of Woods capabilities and
has seldom indulged in rhetoric against him as many related with the sport have done quite so often. Woods will be part of the 12-member American Team at this week’s President Cup at Royal Melbourne and will be heading into the event after posting his strongest
finish in two years at the Emirates Australian Open.
“I’ve played with him a couple of times throughout the year, watched him hit it and you can tell that his swing speed has come back,” Mickelson said.
Posting rounds of 68 and 67 in the opening days of the event at The Lakes Golf Club, Sydney, Woods was leading the event through the halfway mark. He fell for a disappointing 75 on the third day, marred by intermittent rains and delays. He soared back in
contention on the final day, posting another low of five-under, 67, to finish for a joint third.
"I felt great," Woods said. "It's nice to finally be healthy again."
Mickelson, although was not in Sydney to witness Woods lowest round in two years, but he remains adamant that the 14-major-winner will most definitely make a comeback and that it was just a matter of time.
“So I don’t know when it will all click and he’ll be back to his normal self but I feel like it’s inevitable that he will get back there because he seems to keep getting better and better.” Mickelson added.
Woods will be playing against a hostile 12-member International team, many of whom have severely criticizing his selection for the event. He will probably be pitched against Adam Scott who has his former caddie Steve Williams on the bag, and the duo are
likely to come face to face with each other.
But the former world number one is also not without friends in the high profile event. He will be playing under the full support of the US Captain Fred Couples and will be having friends and well wishers in the opposite camp of the likes of fan Jason Day.
Woods finish at the Lakes last week, was the best full-field finish since 2009 JBWere Masters where he won his last event. Also the last time Woods carded a final round of four-under was in the 2010 Masters. He has been facing a tough battle to snap out
of his form vows since the start of the year, missing cuts in two major events. He also fell out of the top-50 on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) a few weeks back but has now climbed back in with a third place finish at the Lakes.
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