Returning Woods Has a Bit of Competition

Tiger Woods ends his four-week hibernation from tournament golf today when the $4.5-million Buick Invitational begins at Torrey Pines. Much happened in his absence.

For example, Woods wears a mustache and goatee now. He just signed a new deal to endorse Buick through 2009. He even stopped at In-N-Out for a hamburger -- but passed on the fries -- on his way here.

Oh, and there was even news that didn’t involve Woods.

Ernie Els won in Honolulu again, Phil Mickelson rediscovered the joy of smacking golf balls and won the Hope, and Vijay Singh continued as a picture of consistency and won at Pebble Beach.

Woods says he knows the score, that he has to catch up a little bit since taking a month off after he tied for fourth at Kapalua in his only tournament this year.

“It’s one of those things,” he said. “I understand, because of the break I took, it’s just the way it’s going to be. Guys are going to get off to a good start. Somebody has to win tournaments. I didn’t play in the tournaments, so I’m always going to be behind.”

As luck and scheduling would have it, Woods returns to catch Singh at his zenith and Mickelson at his rebirth.

Singh leads the money list with $1.96 million, Mickelson is second with $1.34 million and Woods is 20th with $275,000. Singh and Mickelson are also 1-2 in scoring, something that Woods has won the last five years.

And although Woods arrives at Torrey Pines prepared to defend the first of the five PGA Tour titles he won a year ago, he finds his points lead in the Official World Golf Ranking at its smallest margin in nearly five years.

Woods’ points average is 13.51, and Singh’s is 10.43. Mickelson, who ended 2002 ranked No. 2 and ended 2003 ranked No. 16 after failing to win a tournament, is back up to No. 9.

Els isn’t here this week, but Singh and Mickelson are determined to avoid getting caught in any of Woods’ exhaust fumes.

For anyone who likes showdowns, this could be a big week for a trio of golf’s most compelling figures on the two courses splayed along the Pacific Ocean.

Woods would enjoy a repeat of what he did last year, when he won at Torrey Pines in his first tournament after having knee surgery two months before.

Mickelson had a joyless year in 2003, on the course and off, where his wife had a complicated childbirth and nearly died. Distracted and unhappy, Mickelson failed to win a tournament for the first time in four years.

“I was counting the days till the year ended,” he said.

Singh is also counting. He is working on a streak of 12 consecutive tournaments in the top 10, three of them victories, including his triumph last week at Pebble Beach. The record of 14 by Jack Nicklaus in 1977 is within Singh’s sight ... and so is Woods’ No. 1 ranking.

“I stopped looking at it I think two years ago, when he had a lead of some 10 points,” Singh said. “But, you know, now it’s so close, it catches our attention.

“I don’t know, I’m looking at it, but it’s just a glance now and then.”

Mickelson applauded Singh’s success, but he didn’t want to be drawn into a discussion of whether that made the Fijian the top player in the world right now.

“I’m not going to get into the debate of 1, 2, 3, 4,” Mickelson said. “Twelve top 10s shows that he can play not his best golf and still finish top 10. When he plays his best golf, he’s winning. So it’s very impressive play.”

Woods is accustomed to such commentary being directed his way, but he still was quick to praise Singh for being so consistent over a long period of time.

After his practice round Wednesday, Singh was expansive and relaxed in a lively session with reporters. He even offered a comment on Michelle Wie’s participation in PGA Tour events.

Said Singh: “See, they can invite all the women they want to, they can’t beat me. I have nothing against women. If they want to invite 20 of them, go ahead. I mean, it’s not going to affect me.”

Singh said he doesn’t feel any more intimidating, although players are watching him more than ever as he drills on the range.

He also said he feels confident that he will play well this week and doesn’t know when he’s going to get tired and the top-10 streak will end.

“I really am not thinking about the streak,” he said. “I just hope this doesn’t end. But surely it’s going to end one day, one of these weeks. I just can’t keep it going.”

For the fortunes of Woods, Singh and Mickelson, this is the week it’s just getting started.