Mickelson's finish raises expectations for 2010

SHANGHAI --- No one can use a long winter's break quite like Phil Mickelson.

No one should be more excited to get back.

The past three tournaments that featured Mickelson and Tiger Woods were enough to get anyone excited about 2010, which very well could turn into a colossal -- and long overdue -- battle between the world's best two players.

They shared the stage at the Tour Championship, where Mickelson won the tournament and Woods captured the FedEx Cup. They shared a trophy at the Presidents Cup as the best two American players. Both were unbeaten, and while Woods had the perfect record, Mickelson might have been more impressive for winning with three struggling partners.

With only one trophy available Sunday in Shanghai, Mickelson stole the show.

Even though his clutch putting over the final three holes gave him a one-shot victory over Ernie Els, what caused such a frenzy at Sheshan International was Mickelson playing in the final group with Woods.

Mickelson had never won a tournament when playing in the last group with Woods.

This time, it was Woods who flinched.

"Anything that could go wrong went wrong for me today," he said.

Woods three-putted twice, hit two balls in the water and closed with 72 to finish five shots behind Lefty, who did enough right to post 69 and match his career-high of four victories in one year.

Woods headed south for the Australian Masters and a $3 million appearance fee. Mickelson headed for home in San Diego, where he will have 11 weeks off before returning to the San Diego Invitational at Torrey Pines.

Most years, Mickelson stashes the clubs away until the calendar turns. This won't be one of them. He said he would continue to work on his swing with Butch Harmon and his putting with Dave Stockton.

"I'm excited about 2010 because I'm starting to play the best golf of my career," said Mickelson, who turns 40 in June. "Everything is starting to come together as far as my driving. Since working with Butch Harmon, my ball-striking has been much better. My short game is better than it's ever been. Going into 2010, not only am I excited about it, but I have very high expectations."

This is one year Mickelson is not likely to forget.

His life went into a tailspin in May when his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. No sooner had she gone through surgery to determine the scope of the disease, his mother was diagnosed, too.

Mickelson said his wife is doing well enough that she might come to more tournaments next year.

On the course, the anticipation already is building toward Torrey Pines, with perhaps more clashes against Woods on the way at places such as Pebble Beach and, ideally, Augusta National Golf Club.

Woods hasn't been challenged like this in 10 years. Sure, Vijay Singh won nine times and dominated the PGA in 2004, but Woods spent the entire season overhauling his swing. That's simply a fact, not an excuse.

Woods has recovered from reconstructive knee surgery, or so it would suggest with six victories this year. He might have lost some of his mystique when Y.E. Yang became the first player to topple Woods in the final round of a major. And it is worth noting that the past four times Woods has played in the final group, he failed to win three times.

Mickelson still knows the score. When a Chinese reporter asked Mickelson, who now has won the HSBC Champions twice, whether he would share the winning formula with his rival, Lefty just laughed.

"He has won many majors," Mickelson said. "He has won the U.S. Open, he has won the British Open. I have not. Although it feels great to win this tournament, he has won a lot of events."

Even so, one final nugget from Shanghai shows what could be in store for next year.

Woods and Mickelson have played together 25 times over the past dozen years. Woods' advantage in posting the lower score: 11-10-4.