Mickelson: Big finish?

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Phil Mickelson insists the FedEx Cup represents a great way to salvage another season in which a major crown has eluded him.

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The world number two - who last won a major at the 2006 Masters - admits the great players are judged by their exploits in major competition, but feels the season-ending FedEx Cup, launched last year, provides a real shot at redemption.

Mickelson will head to New Jersey this week to tee it up in The Barclays, the first of the four FedEx Cup play-off events that culminate in the Tour Championship at East Lake.

Although only in its second season, and shorn of the presence of the injured Tiger Woods, the lucrative rewards on offer ensure the series has attracted the cream of world golf.

While he may have missed out on the majors and also the Players Championship - widely regarded as the unofficial fifth major - Mickelson is ready to put the record straight by emerging as the FedEx Cup king.

"I think that The Players Championship and the FedEx Cup have enough credibility to offset a season if you were to do well in those events, and not win a major," he explained.

"But still, the majors have had that sense of history that is hard to replace in just two years.

"I think anybody that does well and plays well in the FedExCup and wins the FedExCup, I think that would ease anything if they didn't play well in the majors.

"I feel like I've been playing some pretty good golf. I haven't taken it to that last level of winning, but I've been just below."

Partisan support

Mickelson will be hoping to take that step into the winners' circle at Ridgewood Country Club this week and should be able to count on strong support if his previous appearances in the New York-New Jersey area are anything to go by.

Fans there have given him tremendous backing in the past, including his 2002 US Open triumph at Bethpage and his 2005 USPGA Championship win at nearby Baltusrol.

While hopeful it will continue, Mickelson is at a loss to explain the partisan support, adding: "I mean, I could say that I'm cute, but that's really not true! I mean, my wife thinks that but not many others!

"I don't know. It's flattering. It's cool. I've always loved playing here, and since 2002 at Bethpage, I had one of the most amazing experiences there, and winning the 2005 PGA at Baltusrol was an incredible experience.

"I love playing golf here, and the people here have just been incredibly supportive and warm towards me and my family, and we love it here."

Hectic

Mickelson faces a hectic six weeks of action with the climax of the FedEx Cup followed by the small matter of a Ryder Cup clash with Europe.

However, while accepting it will be a testing period for both himself and his young family, the American insists he is relishing the challenge that lies ahead.

"I'm excited about the next six weeks," he continued. "We as a family know they are going to be difficult because we play five of them and they are stressful; with the Ryder Cup being a stressful yet fun week and the kids are not with us.

"The next few weeks are going to be tough. They start school in the middle of this. But, it's also the end. It's the end of the season."