Triumphant Mickelson unsure of Chicago commitment

NORTON, Massachusetts, Sept 4 (Reuters) Phil Mickelson took over at the top of the FedExCup standings by winning the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday, but is uncertain whether he will play in this week's BMW Championship outside Chicago.

Although he feels obliged to compete in the penultimate leg of the inaugural four-event playoff series, Mickelson believes he has been let down by PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem over repeated requests for a more balanced schedule.

''I'm not sure yet,'' the American left-hander told reporters after holding off a late challenge by Tiger Woods to clinch his 32nd Tour title by two strokes at the TPC Boston.

''I'm really torn because I feel like there is an obligation for me to play and be paired with Tiger again. I think it would be really good for the game and the Tour and the FedExCup.

''But another part of me is really frustrated because for the past year I've been asking the commissioner to do a couple of things and I told him I would play the last four events, and he has not done that. So I'm kind of torn between.'' Asked to explain his frustration, three-times major champion Mickelson replied: ''I've got a lot going on at the moment and there has got to be a balance.

''My family has sacrificed a lot this year because it's been a very difficult schedule. It's not just the four FedExCup tournaments; it's also the PGA (Championship) and Akron (the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) right before that.

''(I had) only four days off after the British Open before we had to travel and (I was) playing two weeks before that. So it's been the last three months having no more than two days off at a time and working to do corporate outings in between.

HAVING BALANCE ''I want to have a balance there. My frustration came from asking for a couple of things in the FedExCup that weren't done and not really feeling all that bad now if I happen to miss (this week). I'm not really sure how it's going to play out.'' The BMW Championship, being held at Cog Hill Golf &Country Club in Lemont, Illinois for the 17th consecutive year, starts on Thursday.

Whether or not Mickelson plays this week, he was delighted to hold off world number one Woods and win his first title since hurting his wrist while practising for the US Open in thick rough at Oakmont.

''It's exciting because I feel like I had a three-month sabbatical there where I couldn't practise,'' the 37-year-old Californian said.

''I couldn't swing aggressively into the ball and I have enjoyed this whole week going into some of this turf. It's firm, taking aggressive divots, and I'm not having any pain.'' Mickelson's injured wrist forced him to withdraw from the Memorial tournament in early June and he missed the cut in his next three Tour starts, including the US Open and British Open.

''It's been a night-and-day difference and that's why I'm so excited to play here at the end of the year and have been able to play well because of it,'' the world number two added.

''I loved being able to play three rounds with the best player of arguably all time and certainly the best player in the world today, and to be able to come out on top feels great.

''But '08 is when our next major is, so that's kind of what I'm looking forward to.'' REUTERS BJR KN0642