Taylor sees golf playoffs as a mulligan

PARAMUS, N.J. - Naturally, the playoffs in golf are different from team sports. Golfers don't see the FedEx Cup playoffs as the postseason, as other athletes do. Many golfers see their playoffs as a mulligan.

That is the golf word for a do-over, which is how some PGA Tour players saw the beginning of the four-week playoff stretch that began Thursday with the first round of The Barclays at Ridgewood Country Club.

"The last couple of years, I haven't played my greatest," said Vaughn Taylor, who entered No. 38 on the FedEx Cup points list. He earned the chance to aim much higher with his 6-under-par 65, tying him for first with Tiger Woods.

"I'm pleased with my position coming in,'' he said. "We all know if you play well the next few weeks, you can have a chance to win the whole thing. I think anyone in the top 40, 50 is pleased with where they're at."

PGA Tour members carry their season point totals through the playoffs, rather than having everyone start at square one, the way team sports playoffs do it. But they can move up quickly and dramatically with a win or two. They can turn a mediocre year into a good one.

Taylor lost a playoff at Houston that could have put him into the Masters in Augusta, Ga., his hometown. "It kind of ate at me for a little while,'' he said. "It was hard to sleep sometimes. You always think about what you could have done differently. I would have loved to have had that playoff again."

Now he has another shot at success. "I have my card locked up and it's just kind of gravy from here on out," he said, adding that he still wants to earn his way into next year's majors. "So the pressure is off, but there's also a little bit of pressure to reach your goals."

Adam Scott has advanced beyond the phenom stage. He did win the Valero Texas Open but hasn't had a spectacular year. Yet he still is hopeful about 2010, what with a 5-under-par 66 (despite a bogey on the last hole).

"I've been playing great. My putting has just not been consistent this year," said the once-vaunted player who has yet to win a major. "I felt some good stuff happen at the PGA . . . good vibes. Last week was fun, practicing, and I came here with a good attitude."

Davis Love III, 96th on the points list, said after his 67 yesterday, "Anybody can win, but you've got to move on to the next week."

One player who didn't get a booster shot from his round was Phil Mickelson. He had difficulty hitting fairways - one of the troubles that stalled his year after his Masters victory - and shot 1-over-par 72.