The Tiger Woods vs Phil Mickelson debate does not dominate the golf landscape like it used to in the early 2000s. Many things changed over time to put the once firepower duo into the backseat. But a recent report turned all eyes once again to the two most polarizing figures in golf.
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With Alan Shipnuck’s shocking Tiger Woods report, and the OWGR’s denial of LIV golf coming into play, the spotlight was once again on the former world no.1 & no. 2. As it turns out, OWGR puts one of them miles ahead of the other and it’s the unlikely one who has gained the lead against all odds.
The OWGR verdict on Woods vs Mickelson debate
Currently, Phil Mickelson sits at no. 112, with 44.34 points. That’s despite the veteran golfer turning his back on the PGA Tour last year and putting himself out of the equation of OWGR points consideration. Whereas Tiger Woods, a staunch PGA Tour loyalist, with 2.22 points is languishing at 1269. Yes, you read that right, the former world no. 1 has tumbled over a thousand spots on the leaderboard.
To put this into perspective, the 82-time PGA Tour winner has played in only 30 international events since 2019, the year of his last Major win. Whereas Mickelson has teed up at 72 international events, becoming the oldest Major winner at the PGA Championship in 2021.
Ironically, Tiger Woods won 67 PGA Tour titles since the turn of the century with 13 of his 15 Majors coming after 2000. Whereas Mickelson had 32 PGA Tour titles to his name in the last 23 years.
Although the career records might put the 15x Major winner ahead of his archrival, the OWGR ranking is clearly on Mickelson’s side. So, despite Tiger Woods having a ‘political’ victory, allegedly slamming the door shut on Mickelson’s face at the Major Winners’ dinner last year, it’s the 53-year-old golfer who will still have a smile on his face.
Alan Shipnuck’s bombshell Tiger Woods claim shocked everyone
Shipnuck’s ‘LIV & Let Die’ has caused enough earthquakes in the last few months than LIV’s inception did last year. The veteran journalist claimed Tiger Woods orchestrated Mickelson’s snub at the private dinner for Open Championship winners at the R&A clubhouse in 2022.
Reportedly, Woods rounded up a few former major winners and convinced them that the LIV defector’s inclusion would put everyone in an uncomfortable situation. In a rift between Woods & Mickelson, it was obvious whose side the former Pros were going to take. Nevertheless, OWGR still puts him miles behind the former world no.2.
Although, the former world no.1’s name is missing from the Hero Challenge Cup lineup, there is speculation that Woods might join on TBA tournament exemption. Still, he has a long way to go in terms of raking up enough points to edge Mickelson once again. And, if OWGR changes its mind about LIV Golf in the coming months, it might be a different story altogether.
