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A18 SPORTS
Tuesday 5 November 2019
Mickelson's streak of 26 years in the top 50 comes to an end

By DOUG FERGUSON the world, mainly because 10s, culminating with his No one thought Woods and love it and enjoying it
AP Golf Writer of Woods, partly because third World Golf Champion- would drop from the top and competing.”
SHANGHAI (AP) — The McIlroy believes the record
streak ended with little fan- can be matched, and he
fare, and that was just fine thinks it goes beyond stay-
with Phil Mickelson. ing injury-free. McIlroy had
He slashed his way to a tie back trouble very early in
for 28th in the HSBC Cham- his career, and he missed
pions, with only 100 or so a chunk of time in early
fans following along. Mick- 2017 with a rib injury, only
elson played his last nine the second time he went
holes right behind Rory through an entire year with-
McIlroy, but only because out winning.
Lefty was in the first group “I would have said that a
to tee off on the back nine. few years ago,” McIlroy
He signed for a 68 in his final said about injuries. “But
round of the year. I feel as good as I ever
The number that stands out have.”
is No. 51, his position this He also is 30. What will he
week in the Official World say 10 years from now?
Golf Ranking. “Hopefully, what Tom Brady
For the first time in nearly says,” McIlroy replied,
26 years — 1,353 weeks to referring to the 42-year-
be exact — Mickelson is no old New England Patriots
longer among the top 50 in quarterback. “I feel better
the world. than when I came into the
“It was a good run,” Mick- league.”
elson said Sunday. “Un- McIlroy says a family and
fortunately, the last eight shifting priorities could be-
months I played terribly come more of an obstacle
and have fallen out. But I’ll Phil Mickelson of the United States tees off for the HSBC Champions golf tournament at the Sheshan than injuries, which impress-
get back in there.” International Golf Club in Shanghai on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019. Associated Press es him about Mickelson.
The question is whether Spieth is more impressed
anyone can ever match it. Mickelson was not on top ships title in Mexico City. He 50 — much less No. 1, a with Mickelson having
Jordan Spieth was not quite of his game when Woods reached No. 17 with his vic- spot he twice held for five played on the last 24 teams
4 months old when Mickel- fell off and created an tory at the Pebble Beach straight years — until his for the Ryder Cup and Pres-
son first cracked the top opportunity. Then again, Pro-Am in February — his personal life imploded and idents Cup, another streak
50 on Nov. 23, 1993, with a Mickelson never won a seventh win in his 40s, in- then his legs broke down, that is ending. Mickelson
runner-up finish in the Casio PGA Tour money title or cluding a major — and was and his streak of 15 years in qualified for 19 consecu-
World Open. Deane Be- was voted PGA Tour player hopeful of a big year. the top 50 ended in 2011. tive teams and only recent-
man was the commissioner of the year. He hasn’t finished better The secret? ly had to rely on a pick. But
of the PGA Tour. His hallmark is consistently than a tie for 18th since It starts with great golf, and those streaks go hand in
Rory McIlroy compared great play, and it is unri- then. Mickelson is among the hand.
Mickelson’s streak to Tiger valed. McIlroy is completing his best to ever play. “You’re not going to make
Woods going 142 starts on “It’s pretty amazing given 11th year in the top 50 — he “You have to have good teams if you’re not top 50,
the PGA Tour over seven he was there into his 40s like first cracked the top 50 with balance,” Mickelson said. or top 20 even,” Mickelson
years without missing a cut. that, with how much time a runner-up finish in Hong “Amy (his wife) is a big part said.
“Being top 50 in the world is taken from golf with your Kong in 2008 — and that’s of that, having a good bal- That’s where Mickelson
since 1993, that means family,” Spieth said. “You’re now the longest current ance of family and playing could be found for three
no injuries, no breaks, that not as sharp because streak. For everyone else schedule, so when I do play weeks shy of 26 years, and
is nothing,” McIlroy said. you’re not doing it as often. but Mickelson, it seemed I’m focused. Having kids on even though the streak is
“Play your game, keep go- I give him more credit in the something always would the road early in my career done, Mickelson says he is
ing.” last seven to 10 years.” go wrong, whether it was was a big thing. not.
That’s all Mickelson has Mickelson nearly fell out at injury (Woods) or a spell of “For the most part, it’s hav- He already is talking about
done. the start of 2018, and then bad play (Adam Scott, Ser- ing the desire to work on it, making the next Ryder Cup
He never reached No. 1 in he ran off four straight top gio Garcia, Justin Rose). and having passion for it team.q

Rafael Nadal returns to top of ATP rankings

MADRID (AP) — Rafael the age of 36 last year. Nadal has a 51-6 record
Nadal is back at the top of Nadal has been No. 1 for and has won four titles
the ATP rankings, regain- 197 weeks through eight this season, including the
ing the No. 1 spot for the different stints at the top. French Open and the U.S.
first time since November Federer leads the all-time Open.
2018. list with 310 weeks. He also reached the Aus-
The 33-year-old Spaniard Federer stayed third in the tralian Open final.
has become the second- rankings, behind Novak He is looking to seal the Spain’s Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference after
oldest No. 1 player. Roger Djokovic and ahead of year-end top ranking for pulling out of the Paris Masters tennis tournament in Paris,
Federer led the rankings at Daniil Medvedev. the fifth time.q Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, due to an injury.
Associated Press