SteveElling

SOUTHPORT, England -- So I guess Phil Mickelson didn't want to talk about Tiger Woods, huh?

The world No. 2 clearly wanted no part of any conversation regarding how the absence of Woods might affect the perception of the tournament this week. Despite repeated queries relating to Woods, Mickelson played a game of verbal dodgeball Tuesday at Royal Birkdale.

He politely, yet firmly, made it clear that as far as wading into the waters of Woods, he wasn't going to moisten his socks.

Question: "No Tiger and people are saying that the majors are being devalued. What's your thought on this? Do you think that is a slight on the rest of the profession, or is there an element of truth in it?

Mickelson: "I am working hard to get my game ready for this week, and I've practiced hard, developed a good game plan for this event, and I am excited to compete against whoever is in the field."

As Sergio Garcia might say, ole.

Question: "You addressed your thoughts regarding Tiger earlier. Do you have any sense that maybe some of the other players who aren't as experienced and accomplished as you feel like they have more of a chance? Do you feel there's a different aura around some of the players?"

Mickelson: "I haven't had a sense either way, no."

With that, literally, the press confab came to an abrupt and slightly awkward end, because the assembled scribes had run out of questions for Phil not to answer. For the record, it lasted about 15 minutes and he fielded 22 questions.
           

SOUTHPORT, England -- Jim Furyk has never been one to rush headlong into controversy. His opinions are always considered, issued with forethought and just as much conviction.

Frequently, he's a big-time contrarian.

Yet as it relates to golf's major championships, Furyk was quite adamant in his position Monday as he prepared to play this week at the British Open.

He'd never skip a chance to play in a major, no matter the circumstances. His likely Ryder Cup teammate this fall, Kenny Perry, has drawn all sorts of unwanted scrutiny for skipping the U.S. Open and British Open, the two oldest majors on the books.

"To the best of my knowledge, you can't win if you never play," Furyk cracked. "You can’t win on the couch."

Furyk, a former U.S. Open champion, was making light of the situation, but he communicated his point clearly. Perry has enumerated several reasons for turning down his invitation to Royal Birkdale in order to play in one of the PGA Tour's weakest fields at Milwaukee. But for Furyk, none of them hold up well in the wash.

"From a personal standpoint, I'd have a very difficult time staying home when I had the opportunity to play in any major championship," he said.

Furyk learned Monday afternoon from reporters that Perry had won a day earlier at the John Deere Classic, giving the 47-year-old three PGA Tour victories this season, second only to the four titles of Tiger Woods. Perry missed the cut at Birkdale in 1991 and didn’t play 10 years ago, but finished in the top 16 in three of his last four visits to the British Open.

Perry said Sunday night that he's in the midst of his best streak ever. Which, in itself, seems like a darned good reason to play against the best in the world. Perry has all but officially cemented a spot in the Ryder Cup, so the excuse of needing to pile up points is effectively moot.

With 22 years under his belt, Perry is one of the most honest, well-liked players on the PGA Tour. But dodging a major is a dodgy proposition, as they say across the pond.

"He can do whatever he wants, and obviously it's probably a sore spot over here, but I think the world of him," Furyk said. "When he's hot, he's as good as anyone in the world.

"The beauty of this game is we get to make our own schedule, and more power to him."

Translation: With the world No. 1 and the hottest player in golf sitting it out, it's anybody's ballgame this week in England.