PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Each day at THE PLAYERS Championship, PGATOUR.COM’s staff writers will dive into the big issues and questions everyone is discussing. Spoiler alert — we don’t always agree. We’ll start with the evolving rivalry of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who are in the same group at TPC Sawgrass for the first two rounds. It’s the first time in four years – and in 17 years at TPC Sawgrass – that they’ve played a stroke-play event on the PGA TOUR. Tiger vs. Phil. Who you got this week? Mike McAllister (Managing Editor) – Would normally lean toward the guy in the better form, but I can’t get past this statement from Phil on Tuesday: “I just can’t believe I’ve actually won here.â€� His win in 2007 is his only top-15 result in his last 11 trips. Tiger’s just more consistent. By the way, Rickie will outplay both of them. Sean Martin (Senior Editor) - Tiger. The Stadium Course rewards strong iron players, and Woods is still one of the best in that area. Also, the course allows him to avoid hitting driver. He can navigate the course with his stinger. When he won in 2013, he relied heavily on a 5-wood. Mickelson’s struggles off the tee concern me on this course. Ben Everill (Staff Writer) – Tiger. Mickelson poked the beast a few times in the lead-up and while Tiger has been all smiles, you just know he wants to maintain his lead in their head-to-head match-ups. Cameron Morfit (Staff Writer) – When these two guys go at it, we all win. And based on their back-and-forth at the pressers, the winner will also be some made-for-TV, mano-a-mano tilt between the two at some undetermined future time/date/place. This week, I’ll pick Phil. He’s had the better of their rivalry lately and looked sharper at the Wells Fargo last week.  Rob Bolton (Fantasy Insider) – Mickelson. Better form. Recent winner. Helen Ross (Contributor) – This heavyweight battle goes to Phil. He’s coming off a tie for fifth at the Wells Fargo Championship, where he shot 9 under on the weekend. Woods, meanwhile, struggled with his putter last week and didn’t make a birdie in his final 18 holes. Jonathan Wall (Equipment Insider) – Tiger. While Phil’s comments were made in jest (I think), Tiger wants to make a statement. Which one will be next to win a PGA TOUR event? McAllister – I don’t expect either to win this week at TPC Sawgrass. But I’m a sucker for the Hollywood finish (and no, I don’t mean Riviera next year). Phil at Shinnecock to complete the career Slam. Martin – Mickelson. Woods still seems like he’s trying to put all the pieces together. Mickelson has been very consistent this year. Everill – I am going to pretend Tiger listens to my advice to play in a variety of new TOUR events – which if he does, he will he capture a win for the ages. Morfit – I’d have to pick Phil. He has six top-10 finishes already this season, which is one more than his total from last year. When he said before this season that he had figured something out, he wasn’t kidding. He’s second on TOUR in Strokes Gained: Putting, and not missing as terribly with his driver. Bolton – Mickelson. Implying that Woods will win again isn’t a reach, but it’s still presumptuous. Ross – I’ve got to go with Phil. I have no doubt Tiger will get it together but right now he seems to be beating himself. Wall - The win in Mexico was no fluke. Phil gets his elusive U.S. Open win next month. Who has benefited most out of their rivalry/friendship? McAllister – Mickelson would have won more tournaments but probably made less money if Tiger had never been around. Tiger never reaches his incredible heights had Phil not pushed him. Not sure if I would put it exactly 50/50 as mutually beneficial, but I don’t see it simply as one or the other. Martin – Woods. I don’t think Phil could say he benefited in any way from their rivalry. All Woods did was take wins from Mickelson. When I asked Phil on Sunday for memories from the third round of the 2001 PLAYERS – when Mickelson had a front-row seat for the “Better Than Mostâ€� putt – all Mickelson could say was, “I just remember that was a tough stretch of years for me playing against him.â€� Everill – Tiger. Early on, it gave him a natural “enemy,â€� someone to stoke his fire. And now, it is someone who relates to him as they head towards legend and veteran status. Morfit – Tiger has benefited the most recently. He said that when his back was a mess and he had shooting pain down his legs, Phil kept texting him encouraging words. When he couldn’t chip, Phil offered to give him a lesson. There was a good reason for that freighted hug at the Presidents Cup at Liberty National. Phil threw Tiger a lifeline, and Tiger hasn’t forgotten it. Bolton – Mickelson. He’s said it himself. Throughout his career, no one has benefited more. Ross - The motivation Phil gained as Tiger dominated the scene certainly made him a better golfer. But off the course, as Tiger has dealt with a myriad of back problems, Phil has been there to offer support and encouragement. So I would say both have benefitted in very different ways. Wall – Probably Tiger. He needed a rival and Phil gave him someone to chase on the course. As for the friendship, I think both are benefitting from it. What will be the highlight moment of their pairing? McAllister – Would love to see Phil show up in his button-down dress shirt on the first tee Thursday. Would totally throw Tiger off his game. C’mon Phil, make it happen! Martin – I look forward to their interactions. I anticipate some fist bumps and laughs, at least early in the first round. They know they’re in the latter stages of their careers, so they are intent on enjoying themselves. As Woods said earlier this year, “Our friendship has gotten stronger over the years. We’re at the tail end of our careers, we both know that.â€� Everill – Mickelson will hit a shot on 17 that stops 3 feet from the hole. Then Tiger will hit it inside him. Morfit – Watching them try to one-up each other, which will direct my attention to the par 3s, where they’ll share the same starting point. I’ll also be interested to see whether Phil tries to show off by driving the par-4 12th hole, and, if he goes for it, whether Tiger then decides to do the same. (Or vice-versa.) Bolton – The introductions on the first tee on Thursday afternoon. It means that we don’t have to wait any longer. Ross – The cheers at the first tee will be deafening. But it will be fun to see who one-ups the other — or if Pete Dye’s diabolical creation gets the best of them both. Either way, it’s must-see TV. Wall – Probably the laughs they share during a competition round. I’m still getting used to them being friendly on the course.Â
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