Phil Mickelson is again in position to replace Tiger Woods as World No. 1 at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
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EmailNORTON, Mass. – Tiger Woods has been the World No. 1 for quite a while – the past 273 weeks, and 615 weeks total in his career, in fact – but that might change on Monday.
Phil Mickelson (0.43 points behind) and Steve Stricker (1.51 points behind) are within striking distance and poised to overtake Woods for the first time since Vijay Singh did it on Sept. 6, 2004 with his win at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Singh held the crown for 32 weeks before Woods regained it by winning the 2005 Masters. Woods has held the top spot ever since.
Here are the scenarios at the beginning of the week for Mickelson or Stricker to overtake Woods:
• Stricker becomes No. 1 if he wins while Woods finishes out of the top 9 and Mickelson finishes out of the top 3.
• Mickelson can become No. 1 by winning, finishing second (with Woods out of the top 3), finishing third (with Woods out of the top 9) or finishing fourth (with Woods out of the top 24 and Stricker not winning).
After the third round, Woods was tied for 23rd at 7 under. Mickelson (67) is tied for sixth at 12 under. He is one shot behind Stricker, who sits in fourth at 13 under par.
If the tournament had concluded today, Woods still would be No. 1, but the gap would be a little smaller.
