Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson should cherish the good times

These two American golfers are the game’s most important figures over the last two decades, and Torrey Pines - where they will compete this weel - is a personal playground to both, writes Steve Elling.

Tiger Woods, left, and Phil Mickelson have a won a combined 77 times the tournaments they competed together in. Andy Wong / AP Photo

As the Desert Swing continues this week at the Qatar Masters, let us take a brief moment to cast our eyes halfway around the world. Indeed, San Diego is 12 time zones away.

At Torrey Pines, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will play in the same PGA Tour event for the 227th time as professionals. They have combined to win 10 times at Torrey, which does not include Woods’s win at the 2008 US Open.

Scratching the surface, really.

At times, we take superlative results for granted as the years and victory totals roll past. It is important to occasionally hit the perspective reset button.

They have amassed 77 wins in their 226 common starts, an incredible 34 per cent success rate. Mickelson first won at Torrey in 1993, giving them victories in 10 of the past 21 years at the seaside venue.

Both Southern California natives, Mickelson turns 44 this summer and Woods is a well-worn 38. They might continue racking up victories for several years, but expiration dates can arrive quickly, as evidenced by Seve Ballesteros or Vijay Singh. The refrigerator light flickered off and the wins were abruptly extinguished.

Woods has an astounding 79 PGA Tour wins, second only to Sam Snead. Mickelson ranks ninth on the same list with 42 victories. They are the game’s most important figures over the last two decades, and Torrey is a personal playground to both.

Heed this advice: Breathe it in like sea air.

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