Mickelson eyes passing Tiger for top spot at Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida - Masters champion Phil Mickelson can move past Tiger Woods to become world No 1 by winning this week's $1.71 million top prize at the US PGA Players Championship.

The 39-year-old US left-hander could end a five-year rankings reign by Woods with a victory if Woods, a 14-time major champion who is coming off a sex scandal and five-month layoff, finishes outside the top five at the Players.

Mickelson is at a career-best second in the rankings while the American just behind him, Steve Stricker, announced on Monday he was pulling out of the $9.5 million tournament at TPC Sawgrass because of a sore right shoulder.