Phil & Tiger Roundup: Fortune's Highest Paid List Shuffle, Pinehurst & Tiger Hitting Drivers

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Landing 6th at $37.2 million on Fortune's best guess at income earned in 2013, Phil Mickelson passed Tiger Woods who fell to 7th with $35.5 million last year.

Floyd Mayweather finished atop the list with $105 million in earnings.

Speaking of Mickelson, I followed him quite a bit at Pinehurst and filed this story for Golf World suggesting that there was an odd sameness to his rounds and body language, but that his game is ultimately not that far off.

As for Tiger, he hit balls last weekend, including drivers after starting work on the range last Tuesday, first reported by Tim Rosaforte on Morning Drive and more extensively later on Golf Central. Agent Mark Steinberg confirmed but the timetable for a competitive return remains unsettled.

Tiger Back Update: There Really Isn't One

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I did learn some new shorthand (anti-inflams) but not much else, as Tiger promoted the Quicken Loans National where the Woods Foundation benefits.

He first spoke to Damon Hack on Morning Drive, which, if nothing else, would mark a major turning point in his Golf Channel interview boycott. Rex Hoggard summed up the interview and the mention of the tedious nature of the recovery.

Bob Harig interpreted the remarks to all but officially rule out the U.S. Open since Woods isn't hitting full shots.

Here's is Tiger's Quickie news conference featuring a good question at the 15:50 mark asking if his workout program will change.

Tiger Woods The Writer Getting Long-Winded In His Old Age

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For a guy who grinds out so many blog posts for TigerWoods.com, you'd think Tiger Woods would get a little more succinct in his old age. But with plenty of free time the injured legend files a 1600 word post today about his back rehabilitation (still sore from the scar), the Masters (he got bored once Fred Couples was out of it), his kids (competing with them already), Lindsey's rehab (she's farther along), his swing (Sean Foley is still his man), OneRepublic (hot with hits) and his schedule (mentions are of the FedExCup and Ryder Cup).

It's kind of like a Christmas card newsletter for golf geeks.

Luke Kerr-Dineen offers a Cliff Notes version at The Loop.

Naturally I enjoyed imagining him reaching for the remote when Couples missed a couple of putts.

I actually watched quite a bit of it because Freddie [Couples] was in contention. As soon as his name went up on the leaderboard, I started watching what he was doing. Once he got off to that bad start Sunday, it wasn't as much fun.

I was happy for Bubba Watson and want to congratulate him on winning his second green jacket. The golf course sets up great for a long fader who is left-handed. It sets up perfectly because it's so much easier to cut the ball than it is to turn it over on No. 10. On No. 13, it is much easier to cut it and carry it; if you try to carry it with a draw, it's not going to stay in the air as much as it would with a cut. Same thing with No. 14. I think that's one of the reasons Phil [Mickelson] and Bubba have done so well there is because they both fade the ball really well for lefties.

Having a 350-yard fade in reserve, a wicked imagination and a deadly blade also helps.

He also added this on Ike's Tree:

As far as losing the Eisenhower tree on No. 17, I only saw the hole a few times during the tournament, and it did look more wide open. But your landing area is still the same. At least it is for guys with my length. I've hit the Eisenhower tree before, but I've hit bad tee shots to hit it. Guys who hit the ball as long as I do didn't really worry about the tree. The shorter guys have to play it up the right side because they can't carry it.

It sounds like he's having a hard time seeing a visit to Liverpool happening:

After Quicken, there's Greenbrier and The Open Championship, and of the course the U.S. Open is about six weeks away. You can understand why I want to hurry up and get better. I'd also like to play in the FedExCup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup. But obviously, I'm going to have to play really well to earn points to get into the playoffs and play my way onto to the team or have to rely on a captain's pick.