Tiger Woods’ return sets up a potential showdown with favorite Phil Mickelson. Tribune golf reporter Ed Sherman breaks down who has the edge.
OFF THE TEE
Course puts a premium on accuracy, so look for Mickelson to give up some distance to keep the ball in the fairway. Woods has struggled with his driver for a couple of years. He will feel the pain if he misses at Winged Foot.
Driving Distance: Mickelson, 298.2 yards; 60.5 percent fairways hit. Woods, 300.6 yards; 56.5 percent fairways hit.
ADVANTAGE: MICKELSON
IRON PLAY
Woods is terrific with his long irons, and he might use a few of them off the tee this week. Mickelson seems to be locked in with his short game. Rust could affect Woods in that department.
Greens in regulation:
Mickelson, 70.4 percent.
Woods, 71.2 percent.
ADVANTAGE: MICKELSON
PUTTING
Mickelson made some clutch putts to win the Masters, but you still feel nervous when he is standing over a four-footer. Woods missed some putts at Augusta, but that was a blip for him. He is the best putter in the game, and the best probably since Jack Nicklaus.
Putting average:
Mickelson, 1.710 average putts per hole.
Woods, 1.798
ADVANTAGE: WOODS
SCRAMBLING
This area always is a key factor at a U.S. Open. Woods is brilliant at minimizing his mistakes. Mickelson doesn’t match up here.
ADVANTAGE: WOODS
CONFIDENCE FACTOR
Mickelson’s is sky high. After winning the last two majors, all the doubts have been removed about his ability to win the big one. Woods never doubts himself.
ADVANTAGE: EVEN
INTANGIBLES
Besides not being tournament sharp, Woods is going to have to deal with the emotional burden of competing for the first time since his father’s death. During his near miss at Bethpage, New Yorkers adopted Mickelson as one of their own.
Scoring average: Mickelson, 69.33 per round. Woods, 69.62.
ADVANTAGE: MICKELSON
