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Devil Ball Golf - Golf

Devil Ball Golf

Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:08 pm EST

Could Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson be buddies?

By Jay Busbee

It's no secret that Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson haven't exactly been best buds. You can psychoanalyze that any way you like, but on its surface, the coldblooded, relentless Tiger couldn't be more different from the smiling, surfer-dude Phil. Still, the two are inextricably linked; we've written more than 180 posts mentioning both Tiger and Phil just since August 2008. (Hey, we know what sells 'round here.)

But as Steve Elling notes over at CBS Sports, tensions may be thawing between golf's two titans. They're actually joking with one another, as in this exchange regarding golf in the Olympics:

Q: With golf becoming an official Olympic sport, will you compete to win a medal in 2016?

Woods: Well, I have to qualify first in 2016. Christ, I'll be 40 years old in 2016.

Q: Still young.

Woods: Younger than Phil.

And that was said with humor, lest anyone think differently. Elling notes that there's precedent here -- Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were bitter rivals for decades before finally growing close in their golden years. Perhaps the same thing's happening here between Tiger and Phil.

Of course, Phil would do well not to get too comfortable. He jumps too far out in front of Tiger, and there's no more joking -- just ninja assassin action.

Tiger and Phil: Friendly foes at last [CBS Sports]

Related: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods

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19 Comments

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  1. John McCain is a porn star
    1. Posted by John McCain is a porn star Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:23 pm EST

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    awesome...love it go phil ASU BABY!!!
  2. fulltiltfulltime54
    2. Posted by fulltiltfulltime54 Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:42 pm EST

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    who cares.
  3. Peter D
    3. Posted by Peter D Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:55 pm EST

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    how did Tig lose to Phil in Mah Jong?
  4. Ron H
    4. Posted by Ron H Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:09 pm EST

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    Maybe they both have enough friends already.
  5. MacLeod
    5. Posted by MacLeod Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:01 pm EST

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    Phil Mickelson is not Arnold Palmer. Go slap yourself.
  6. Ritchie b
    6. Posted by Ritchie b Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:24 pm EST

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    Hahaha, look at Phil, he looks like a monkey. Maybe the PGA should leave him there. Hahahaha
  7. billieboy
    7. Posted by billieboy Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:43 pm EST

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    Very Funny article on Woods and Mickelson becoming
    " bossom buddies in old age " ! NAH ! NAH !
    For all I know, they still would compete against each other
    on the over - 50 Senior PGA Circuit until well over in their 60 's !
  8. Douglas C
    8. Posted by Douglas C Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:25 pm EST

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    Neither the press or the public will allow Phil and Eldrick to be friends. By in large their fan bases are enimies and the press lives on that friction.
  9. Peter L
    9. Posted by Peter L Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:07 am EST

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    they were playing chinese chess
  10. p
    10. Posted by p Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:51 am EST

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    Philbert is jealous of Tiger but he's had every opportunity to make his own mark, especially when
    Tiger was out sick. What amazes me is how he (Phil) remains anywhere close to the # 2 spot with his sporadic and most times dismal performances. Lets see if he blolws this chance on Sunday. Maybe I should say let's see how BADLY
  11. p
    11. Posted by p Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:58 am EST

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    Philbert is jealous of Tiger but he's had every opportunity to make his own mark, especially when
    Tiger was out sick. What amazes me is how he (Phil) remains anywhere close to the # 2 spot with his sporadic and most times dismal performances. Lets see if he blolws this chance on Sunday. Maybe I should say let's see how BADLY he blows it.
  12. p
    12. Posted by p Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:20 am EST

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    The press keeps up the competitive rhetoric to keep public interest, but the truth is Phil is not in Tigers league. I know they talk a lot about Tiger too but he has the stats to back him up. Phil should have at least 10 majors and 40 pga wins to be even considered a rival of Tiger and thats being generous considering Phil has been in the game a lot longer than Tiger.
  13. frank
    13. Posted by frank Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:41 pm EST

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    Looks like his old victory hop but seating down. Goofy looking
  14. John
    14. Posted by John Sun Nov 08, 2009 12:53 am EST

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    Was I the ONLY person paying attention to this during the President's Cup? Who was Tiger's good buddy, Michael Jordan, spending LOTS OF time with there? "Lefty!"... Is it that much of a stretch to say that MJ could end up being friends with both of them and act as a bridge to burn away some of the past tension between them? I don't think it's much of a stretch at all.
    Also, if you look at the events that have transpired ever since Tiger's late father Earl got ill, when Phil offered a lot of heartfelt sympathy, it appears the so-called "bitter rivalry" has been much more a figment of the media's imagination, rather than reality.
  15. Go Chargers
    15. Posted by Go Chargers Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:50 am EST

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    All of the rivalry / tension is media only. They may not be best buds but they are ok with each other.
    I saw them talking a lot during the China tourney.
  16. rotina b redhot
    16. Posted by rotina b redhot Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:28 am EST

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    tiger doesn't like phil because phil does try hard enough and phil doesn't like tiger because tiger is the best at what he does in golf and for the game of golf.
  17. Mike
    17. Posted by Mike Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:27 am EST

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    Regardless of how they get along, or the media's intention to make them mortal enemies, they seem to respect each other. It was fitting that the best two players in the world won something at the Fed Ex finale. Phil's win in the HSBC is the end of a good run, which will hopefully lead to some great golf in 2010. It is good for the game to have more than one great player.
  18. Chris
    18. Posted by Chris Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:48 pm EST

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    Golf wants tiger and Phil to be Jack and Arnold bad, too bad Phil can't hold up his end of the deal.
  19. Chris
    19. Posted by Chris Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:49 pm EST

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    Tiger wins when it counts, Phil wins when he can.

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