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ATLANTA -- Phil Mickelson paused a good while before answering the question, realizing immediately that how it was answered had the potential to look bad. Of course he would love to win the Tour Championship this week and all the potential riches that go along with it.But really, Lefty admitted, the goal is next weeks Ryder Cup. And getting the issues in his game straightened out here at East Lake is more important than how he fares at the PGA Tours season-ending event.That might not sit too well with the PGA Tour brass, or tournament sponsor Coca-Cola or perhaps even those who come to the course to watch him in person.By now, however, all should know that Phil is going to be Phil.Well, Ive won two Tour Championships, and Ive only been a part of two winning Ryder Cups, Mickelson said Friday after saying that he made an equipment change to better help him next week. Id kind of like to be a part of a third.So not to diminish this [tournament], but Id rather win next week. For me, at this stage in my career, it means a little more to me.Give Mickelson credit for honesty. At 46 and in the World Golf Hall of Fame with 42 victories and five major championships, Mickelson stuck his neck out two years ago at Gleneagles when he basically criticized Tom Watson and the PGA of America for the approach that has seen the Americans lose the Cup eight of the 10 times Mickelson has been part of it.His comments were controversial, and he knew taking on a legend like Watson would not be popular. But it helped force a change he is fully behind, one that saw more player input into the captain, the points standings and the pairings.But now Mickelsons game looks shaky, and he explained why he had hit just a single fairway during the opening round and only five more on Friday, giving him a total of six out of 28 for two days: He put a different driver in play, one with a longer shaft.That was a result of the practice round he had on Monday at Hazeltine National, site of the Ryder Cup.When I went to Hazeltine and saw how long of a golf course it was, I went to a longer driver again, said Mickelson, who brought three drivers that have a shaft an inch-and-a-half longer. I hit this driver 18, 20 yards longer. Thats a significant difference. I carry it a lot farther, and I think its going to be an advantage at Hazeltine if I drive it well.But I needed to get some play with it. I cant just show up and expect to drive it. Yesterday was a different one. Today was the one Im going to end up going with. I drove it great on the back nine. I hit cuts like I did in 2004, when I drove it well, and they were soft cuts. I was able to swing it to the target, and the ball went there. It was great.Ahhhh. ... You can all but see the cynics cringing, hear the doubters groaning.It is certainly fair to wonder if Mickelson is overthinking this. Hes having his best year since winning The Open in 2003, nearly winning this year at Royal Troon, finishing second at Pebble Beach and making his 11th Ryder Cup team. He is ranked 14th in the world.The swing instructor he has been working with since last fall, Andrew Getson, has been with Mickelson for numerous tournaments, including two weeks ago at the BMW Championship and this week. Mickelson has often credited Getson for his improved play in 2016.And part of the reason for that success is the shorter driver, one that helped him keep the ball in play with more frequency.I sacrificed a lot of distance here in an effort to get the ball in the fairway, said Mickelson, who even with that improvement still ranks just 154th on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy, hitting just less than 56 percent of the fairways. I drove it a little bit straighter.But I needed the length, and Ive picked that back up. And Im starting to, after today, feel pretty good with it. I hit a lot of good drives. The stats dont always say. Yesterday the misses were huge. Today the misses were minuscule. On a normal length fairway, I probably would have hit 10, 11 fairways. But these things are tight, theyre tilted, and theyre very difficult to hit.Mickelson has been down this road previously. At the 2008 U.S. Open, for example, he famously played the tournament without a driver. He has, at times, used two drivers, taking a long iron or a wedge out of his bag. Another time he had a period of using a strong 3-wood that served as his driver.Whatever the case, Mickelson clearly had his mind made up after Mondays practice round with several other U.S. players that this was the way to proceed.Thats why playing a practice round is so critical, because you realize what your course setup, your bag setup, your club setup needs to be, he said. You work on the shots youve been hitting, you need to hit. You have to have time to prepare for those.Had I not gone and seen it, Id be showing up there on Monday or Tuesday with a short driver panicking like I need that extra 20 yards. So it was a good thing.Mickelson spent a considerable amount of time on the driving range Wednesday and again after his round Thursday, when he admitted there was concern after hitting just one out of 14 fairways. On Wednesday, he settled on the correct settings for the drivers he would employ, and then it was a matter of determining which of the two drivers hed narrowed it down to was best.The answer, apparently, came Friday, when his back-nine 34 resulted in a score of 2-over 72. He opened the tournament with a 74.I expect this weekend Ill drive it well, Mickelson said. I think Im going to play well because the other holes, everything is fine with my game.I drove it a lot better today. Today went much, much better. Even though the numbers dont warrant it, all my misses were within a yard or two of the fairways. But you just cant play this course like that.Mickelson is tied for 26th in the 29-man field (Jason Day withdrew), already 13 shots back of leader Dustin Johnson. He wont be winning the Tour Championship, and any incremental gains earned in prize money and bonus money are of little consequence to him at this point of a career in which hes made millions.So its all about the Ryder Cup now, where not a penny is on the line but there is plenty at stake.Fake Jerseys Website . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Fake Jerseys Online . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. http://www.fakejersey.com/fake-nike-jerseys/ . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Fake NFL Jerseys . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Fake Jerseys 2019 .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner.CLEVELAND -- LeBron James is giving back to a champion who shaped his life.The Cavaliers star is donating $2.5 million to support an exhibit honoring Muhammad Ali exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.Muhammad Ali: A Force for Change opened in September to honor the legacy of the boxing champ, social activist and world ambassador whose contributions transcended the sports world.Every professional athlete, regardless of race and gender, owes a huge debt of gratitude to Muhammad Ali, James said. His legacy deserves to be studied and revered by every generation. I am honored to partner with the Smithsonian to celebrate one of the most influential figures in our nations history who, along with Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, used the powwer of sports to advance our civil rights.ddddddddddddJames business partner, Maverick Carter, also is contributing to the donation.I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity LeBron James has shown, Alis wife, Lonnie, said. This exhibit will enable children visiting the Smithsonian to learn more about Muhammads work outside of the ring, particularly his humanitarian work and stance on social justice for all people.The exhibit includes artifacts such as Alis headgear and the training robe worn at Dundees Fifth Street Gym. It celebrates the late champions achievements in community activism, resistance, politics, spirituality and culture.Ali died in June at age 74. ' ' '