Mickelson wins tournament, Woods wins championship

However, Woods’ second-place finish was enough to capture the FedEx Cup.

His reward: the $10 million prize.

“I’m sure I would probably be more happy tomorrow than I am right now, because you’re in the moment trying to win this event,” Woods said. "...Come tomorrow, I’m sure I’ll feel a lot better.”

Actually, Mickelson tacked on an additional $3 million for finishing second in the final FedEx Cup standings, the PGA Tour’s season-ending playoffs. He did so by lighting up East Lake Golf Club over the final three days.

Mickelson shot a 5-under 65 on Sunday, following the 66 he shot on Saturday and the 67 on Friday. It was quite a finish after the 3-over 73 way he started the tournament.

Woods finished the weekend at 6-under par, followed by Sean O'Hair (5-under) and Padraig Harrington and third-round leader Kenny Perry (both at -4).

“You know, I like the way the day went,” Mickelson said. “I was two back of him [going into the final round]. I beat him by three. He gets the $10 million check and I get the $1 million. I’ve got no problem with that. I just love holding [the Tour Championship trophy] finally.”

Woods earned an additional $1.5 million for finishing second. He played in the final pairing with Perry but both were passed by Mickelson early in the round. Woods finished with a round of even-par 70, which featured two birdies and two bogeys.

Woods entered the Tour Championship as the FedEx Cup points leader. He was one of five players who controlled their own destinies — win the tournament, win the big prize — and as the four other fell by the wayside, Woods did just enough. Steve Stricker (sixth), Jim Furyk (tied for seventh), Zach Johnson (tied for 16th) and Heath Slocum (tied for 19th) all finished well off the pace.

Stricker, at least for a while, was actually far enough ahead of Woods that he briefly was the FedEx Cup leader. He was undone by bogeys at No. 16 and 17. Woods countered with birdies at Nos. 15 and 16. Game over. Stricker finished third in the Cup standings, followed by Furyk and O’Hair.

“After I made bogey at 16, I kind of figured there went my chances,” Stricker said.

Woods won the inaugural FedEx Cup in 2007, but missed last year’s playoffs after reconstructive knee surgery following the 2008 U.S. Open. His comeback was a long and painful process. At this time last year, he wasn't even mobile.

“I was still a couple months away before I kind of felt somewhat human again,” Woods said.

Perhaps the $10 million will ease Woods’ pain. He said early in the week, he considers this a good year. And why not? Six Tour victories, two second-place finishes and 13 top-10s. And now the Cup.

“To win the FedEx Cup and to be as consistent as I have been all year is something I’m very proud of,” Woods said. “… I think it’s just one of those things where obviously I’m a little disappointed I didn’t win the championship because I was right there. But the FedEx Cup is something very similar to what you have for Player of the Year. It’s a cumulative total and something that you have to be consistent the entire year and it’s something that I was.

“I certainly wouldn’t have expected that going into my first event … to end up where I’m at right now.”

Yes, Mickelson won the battle, but Woods won the war. And if there was any doubt who won the day, some of the players had their opinion too.

“I’d prefer, I think, the 10 million bucks in my pocket,” O’Hair said.

It did make for a strange scene of the 18th green at East Lake. Two players, two rivals, each getting a different trophy and payday.

“It feels certainly not like it did a couple years ago when I won the tournament,” Woods joked.

Perry, who led the tournament at 8-under heading into the final round, struggled all day. He shot a 4-over round and finished tied for fourth place.