Thursday, November 26, 2009 More Features Woods winces through first round with back injury Tiger Woods played Thursday with a back injury which led to his most miserable round of golf. Tirico: Beginning of the end The Tour Championship wraps up another quality year on the PGA Tour. Els puts winning streak on line in Houston Ernie Els has won at least once every year since 1994, but he's still seeking victory No. 1 in 2001. Texas brings out best in Garcia Sergio Garcia had plenty of success in Texas earlier this year, and he hopes to find the magic again in Houston. Wednesday notebook: Shaking off the rust It's been nearly two months since Steve Stricker played a golf tournament. Crenshaw honored as Payne Stewart Award recipient Ben Crenshaw has been named the 2001 winner of the PGA Tour's Payne Stewart Award. Harig: Diminishing returns The big money in so many other tournaments has taken away some of the mystique of the Tour Championship. New dad Mickelson skips title defense Defending champion Phil Mickelson will stay home following the birth of his second daughter last week. 2000: Mickelson runs down Woods Phil Mickelson pulled off a rarity last year at East Lake, overtaking Tiger Woods on Sunday.

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