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Despite a difficult year, Phil Mickelson again proved he is supreme with golf club in hand.
Despite a difficult year, Phil Mickelson again proved he is supreme with golf club in hand. (Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com)

Golfer Supremacy Rankings: Tiger Woods and Lefty give 2009 FedEx Cup a supreme finish

William K. WolfrumBy William K. Wolfrum,
Contributor

If we at the Golfer Supremacy could write a script for how the FedEx Cup playoffs would end - and, actually, we have written dozens of these scripts, but no one calls back - we couldn't have done any better that than how things finished at the Tour Championship.

Yes, this weekend showcased all that was good on the PGA Tour: Phil Mickelson won the Tour Championship after an emotional and stressful year that saw both his wife and mother fight breast cancer, Tiger Woods proved his knee is no longer a question and, finally, the PGA Tour tossed around bonuses like they were AIG on steroids - and no one seemed to care.

All told, it was a brilliant finish to things down in Atlanta, as brilliant golf, high drama and big names took over the world of golf. And the big questions were answered - Tiger is still on top, Mickelson is back and the recession is over.

Let's face it: This was golf at its most extreme and with Breast Cancer Awareness Month coming in October, Lefty's timing couldn't have been better.

Golfer Supremacy Rankings

1. Phil Mickelson

Comments: If there's one thing that became accepted in golf over the years, it was mocking Lefty. We mocked his weight, his game, his perfect family, his attitude, etc.

It was a Mickelson slag off, stalled only by Phil's many wins and three major titles. Today, however, no one would dare mock Mickelson and rightly so. When his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, Lefty took time off the Tour and soon learned his mother also had the disease.

Phil has done what he's needed to do for his family and continues to do it. And Sunday, he showed that regardless of what's happening in his life, he still must go down as his generation's second-best golfer.

2. Tiger Woods

Comments: Sure, Tiger didn't win a major in 2009, no matter how much we think the FedEx Cup should be the fifth major. But let's keep it real - Woods had major surgery on his knee and came back to the PGA Tour and dominated.

Remember, it wasn't that long ago that many were saying that this year would be a slow one for Woods as he recovered. Not so. Woods looked brilliant to close the show, and now everyone expects a massive 2010 from young Eldrick.

3. The U.S. Economy

Comments: With many economic factors pointing to the fact that the U.S. is slowly starting to emerge from a recession, it was the FedEx Cup that has truly proven that this economic disaster is nearing an end.

Remember not too long ago when everyone and their sister were having conniption fits over the fact that people who were already rich receiving huge bonuses? Well, the bonuses were flying on Sunday, and no one seemed to mind.

This recession is over. As Mickelson said: "I like the way today went. I was two back of him; I beat him by three. He gets the $10 million check, and I get $1 million. I've got no problem with that."

Random Quote: "It means a lot to finish the year off on such a good note. We've been through a lot, and I'm very proud of my wife and my mom on the fight that they've been through. We're in good shape. Although day-to-day is tough, and it's not easy for them, we're fortunate that our long-term outlook is good." - Phil Mickelson

Random Charity: If you'd like to find out more about breast cancer or are interested in donating to help find a cure, head over to Susan G. Komen for a Cure, which is an official LPGA charity and gives lots of useful information.

William K. Wolfrum keeps one eye on the PGA Tour and another watching golf vacation hotspots and letting travelers in on the best place to vacation. You can follow him on Twitter @Wolfrum.

 
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