Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson don't make any noise
Tiger Woods watches his drive on the 12th hole during the third round of The Barclays. (Aug. 25, 2012) Credit: AP
Starting the final round of the Barclays Sunday at Bethpage Black, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were tied for 10th at 4 under par, giving fans hope of a charge by the two greatest stars in American golf. When the day ended, Woods and Mickelson were beaten and bedraggled as both shot 5-over 76 to drop to a tie for 38th.
Of the 75 players who teed it up, only three shot worse scores Sunday than Woods and Mickelson. For Woods, it continued his trend of poor weekend play in all four majors, and he made a beeline for the parking lot when he was finished without stopping for interviews. Normally, Woods would have done a cursory post-round interview with CBS, which televised the event, but the network gave him a pass.
"CBS was indifferent," said Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg. "CBS came to me and they said, 'We understand if he doesn't want to talk today. We're fine if he doesn't come up.' "
Nonetheless, Woods declined an interview request from print media.
Mickelson spoke to two reporters after signing his card. "I hit some poor iron shots," he said. "I hit a lot of good drives on the front nine and made bogeys, missed greens, didn't give myself opportunities. Even though it wasn't the best day today, everything is starting to get a little bit better and I really feel like next week could be a good week."
Ryder Cup at Bethpage?
Bethpage is a candidate to host the 2024 Ryder Cup, and Mickelson endorsed it. "A few years ago, Amy and I were the ones that planted the seed," he said of him and his wife. "This would be the ideal spot to hold the Ryder Cup. With the crowds here, I think the U.S. would have a definitive advantage."
Said Sergio Garcia, who had problems with the Bethpage gallery in the past but praised it this week, "I think it could be great for the Ryder Cup if everybody keeps the right attitude."
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