All or nothing for Woods and Mickelson

He was on the practice range at first light,only his coach and caddie at his side.

He was on the practice range at first light,only his coach and caddie at his side. Then it was off to the putting green,where he kept pressing an Augusta National official for permission to start his practice round before the course was open. Its a familiar story for Tiger Woods each year at the Masters. But on this frigid Tuesday morning,the routine belonged to Phil Mickelson.

Tiger and Phil are out there playing, one of the club members said before adding with a smile,Not together,obviously. They are not particularly close,except in the world ranking. The top two players in golf and the best rivalry of their generation could be on a collision course at the first Major of the year.

Woods returned from an eight-month break after knee surgery to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago when he rallied from a five-shot deficit with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole in the dark. It was the type of putt Woods always seems to make,one summed up by Geoff Ogilvy: Everyone is impressed,but no one is surprised.

Mickelson already has won twice this year,repeating at Riviera and winning the CA Championship for his first World Golf Championship. I feel like right now Im playing some of the best golf that Ive ever played, he said.

They have not gone head-to-head at the Masters since 2001,when they played in the final group and Woods won by two shots to become the only pro to capture four consecutive Majors. Mickelson has won the Masters twice,and while the first one is the most memorable remember that leap? it was equally gratifying in 2006 to have Woods help him into the green jacket. I do have a picture of him sliding that jacket on me, Mickelson said with a smile. That felt good.

They are considered the top two contenders at the Masters,which starts on Thursday. Mickelson could go to No. 1 in the world for the first time in an otherwise stellar career if he was to win the Masters and Woods finished out of the top five.

Mickelson believes rivalries are created only in the mind of the media and the public. Even so,he is among the few who relishes a chance to take on Woods,especially in a Major.