DORAL, Fla. – Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have been traveling in starkly different directions this week.
Mickelson has had a colorful, energized, electrifying first two rounds at the WCG-CA Championship on Doral’s Blue Monster.
Woods has seemingly been running in place as if on a treadmill, unable to roll in birdie putts and making little progress toward the top of a leaderboard that’s in jeopardy of getting away from him.
Mickelson, because of a 6-under-par 66 yesterday, enters the weekend with the lead at 13-under.
He’s two shots clear of Nick Watney (11-under) and three shots ahead of Rory McIlroy, the 17-year-old marvel from Northern Ireland, and Kenny Perry, who shot a scorching second-round 64 yesterday.
Mickelson, who was beaten out by Woods in an epic duel at Doral in 2005, sounded as if he’s hoping Woods returns to his top form so they can go toe-to-toe again.
Considering the fact he’s 10 shots behind Mickelson, Woods, playing in his first stroke-play event since having knee surgery last June, is going to have to go very low today to turn tomorrow into a duel.
“It kind of [stinks],” Mickelson said tongue-in-cheek about Woods being 10 strokes behind him. “I hope he comes out [today] and plays a great round and makes a move. I would love to get back [at him] from ’05.
“I came close in ’05 and got beat and I would love the opportunity to play [Woods] head-to-head. I think it would be fun.”
When Mickelson’s words were relayed to him, Woods said: “Me too. As of right now I’m 10 back, not a very good spot to be in. Hopefully I can shoot a good round [today] and at least give myself somewhat of a good chance on Sunday.”
Mickelson: “I think we as players cannot wait for Tiger to get back on top of his game and hopefully be able to keep pace with him.”
The way Mickelson, a winner at the Northern Trust at Riviera last month in Los Angeles, is playing right now, Woods and the rest of the players will do well to keep up with him.
Yesterday’s round, which featured just 22 putts and yet another chip-in for birdie (this one on No. 7, his 16th hole of the day), followed a virtuoso performance Thursday that included just eight putts on his back nine.
Mickelson has only 42 putts in two rounds this week, the lowest 36-hole total of his career.
For Woods, who’s tied for 40th, this is the worst position he’s been in through two rounds since he was tied for 59th at the 2007 Players Championship.
While Woods tries to find his overall game, Mickelson cannot be more confident with his. He’s positively bombing his driver and his short game has been magnificent.
This has left Mickelson absolutely giddy about his chances at the Masters next month at Augusta.
“I can’t be any more excited,” Mickelson said of Augusta, where he visited for some practice the other day.
“As well as I’m driving it, to be hitting it as high and as far as I’m hitting it [and] with my short game being as good as it’s ever been, I can’t wait for Augusta to get here.”
Mickelson has not even contended in a major since his dramatic loss at Winged Foot at the 2006 U.S. Open.