Mickelson, Stricker get another shot at No. 1

NORTON, Mass. -- The last time a player became the world No. 1 for the first time in his career was in 2004 when Vijay Singh replaced Tiger Woods at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.

And where did it happen? At the Deutsche Bank Championship when Singh beat Woods and Adam Scott by three strokes.

Can history repeat itself this week at TPC Boston in the second round of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup? Well, there once again are two candidates for the career-first -- Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker.

Mickelson has a shot at taking over No. 1 for the 10th time this year. He could do it with a win, second place if Woods finishes out of the top three, third with Woods out of the top nine or fourth with Woods out of the top 24 (if Stricker doesn't win).

If Stricker were to successfully defend his title at the Deutsche Bank Championship, he could become No. 1 as long as Woods finishes out of the top nine and Mickelson out of top three.

Woods has been No. 1 for the last 273 weeks, dating to the week before the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.