Dreams keep coming true for Streelman

Wheaton's Kevin Streelman was flying high - literally - when it became official that he had finished 29th in the playoff points race and would be moving on to The Tour Championship in Atlanta in two weeks.

Streelman, who was on a flight to Phoenix when word came, began his final round in 33rd place in FedExCup points. After making a tricky 3-footer through the shadows for par on the 18th to remain 1 under on the day, he found himself in the 29th spot, which is where he would end up.

"I wasn't watching (the leaderboard); I pretty much knew what I needed to do," Streelman said after his round. "I really wanted to play a clean round - no bogeys - which I was able to do, but I was hoping to make more birdies. I'm proud of that round, I gave it my all. But there were some pretty big nerves knowing I was 29th, 30th."

Making that final 3-footer a knee-knocker, not only because it would have punched his ticket to Atlanta, but also a first-ever visit to the Masters next spring.

"I knew it was important. That could be a putt to get into Augusta," said Streelman, who had enthusiastic backing all week at Cog Hill. "Good thing I buried it."

Streelman left Cog Hill unsure if he advanced or not.

But if he did?

"It would be a dream come true on top of another dream come true," he said. "This whole experience on the PGA Tour has been incredible for me and my loved ones. To get to the majors - especially Augusta - would be unreal."

Consider it unreal.

Matching the best: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson live on opposite coasts, swing from different sides of the ball and have personalities that seem polar opposite.

So, it was no surprise that as the top two players in the world rankings prepared for their Sunday morning pairing - under the watchful eyes of thousands of fired-up fans at Cog Hill - they worked on their putting from opposite ends of the practice green.

Once both made their way to the tee box - each receiving warm welcomes - they finally met up in the starter's tent where Mickelson came over to Woods with hand extended and the two shared this very personal exchange:

Phil: "Hey Tiger, what's up?"

Tiger: "How's it going?"

Then they showed each other what ball they were using for the round and minutes later the most anticipated pairing of the day was off.

By the time they finished, Mickelson had shot a 67 to finish 10th in FedexCup points. Woods shot 70 and failed to make it in the top 30 and advance to The Tour Championship.

Mickelson's "win" made the pair's head-to-head record 11-11-4.

"I love playing with Tiger, he brings out the best in me," Mickelson said. "I wish we could do it more often."

He said it: Mickelson on the differences between 2010 Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin and 2008 captain Paul Azinger: "Well, certainly height will be one."