Phil Mickelson: Will Phil Ever Move Ahead of Tiger Woods in the Rankings?

Phil Mickelson failed on another opportunity to move ahead of Tiger Woods in the world rankings, although it is a feat which loses more and more meaning with each passing PGA Tournament.

Lefty no longer can pass Woods for the No. 1 spot in the rankings. Those days are long gone, and they may never be back. Woods continues to fall from the top spot, but instead of Mickelson being able to capitalize on that fact, he is steadily following Woods down the list.

But while he cannot move up to No. 1 any time soon, Mickelson still missed out on another opportunity to move ahead of Woods and take his No. 5 spot in the world rankings. He needed to finish in the top 10 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill on Sunday, but bogeyed three of his last five holes to finish in 24th place. That just happened to be the same position where Woods finished in Orlando.

Bob Harig of ESPN says that "At this point, the feat would be purely symbolic, an interesting footnote in a Hall of Fame career that has nonetheless been played in the shadow of Tiger Woods. Phil Mickelson has not been ahead of Woods in the Official World Golf Ranking in 14 years."

But regardless of whether or not Mickelson is ahead of behind Woods in the rankings, his attention and focus is at least on what matters most. He is gearing up to defend his Masters championship in a couple of weeks, and he says he feels that he is ready.

Following his final round 73, Mickelson told reporters that "I think I'm playing a little bit better this year [going into the Masters], but I'm not getting the results," Mickelson said. "But as far as the way I'm striking it, heading into Augusta last year, I wasn't striking it well and I had a great session with Butch [Harmon] early in the week and it kind of turned things around."

But even though the Masters means far more than where he finds himself in the rankings, you cannot tell me for one minute that Lefty does not still want to catch - and pass - Woods. It has to be as much of a mental challenge than a physical one at this point.

Harig also pointed out that "In every tournament Mickelson played last year following the Masters, there was a scenario by which he could have moved ahead of Woods for the No. 1 ranking -- a total of 15 times."

That has to sting, at least a little.

Both golfers are headed in the wrong direction as far as the rankings are concerned. But if either can capture another green jacket in a couple of weeks, they will instantly forget about what number happens to proceed their name.

In the end, while both Mickelson and Woods have put together a few decent rounds here and there, neither has been able to sustain a complete tournament winning performance. I feel that Woods' temper and lack of confidence will continue to hold him back from winning a major, while Mickelson still has a great shot to defend his championship at Augusta.

Mickelson may not be able to hold onto his jacket, but within the next few weeks, Lefty will move ahead of Tiger in the world rankings.

For the first time since 1997.

It just won't be for the top spot.

For more on Mickelson and Woods, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Contributor Todd Pataky, who previews the PGA Tour 2011: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson Leaving No Mark.

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