Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson talk rivalry, friendship after practice round together

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Tiger Woods could only smile and shake his head in amazement as he watched Phil Mickelson hit flop shots from behind the 15th green, including one that trickled into the cup, during a practice round at Augusta National on Tuesday.

The fact that they were playing together was surprising enough. To then hear Woods heap praise on Mickelson was perhaps yet another sign that we are seeing a different Tiger as he returns to the Masters for the first time in three years after a long injury layoff.

"He's very, very competitive; he's feisty, he's determined,'' Woods said Tuesday during a media session following his practice round. "He always wants to win. It has served him well. He…