Phil and Tiger: When they've been paired together on TOUR

PHIL OR TIGER: Brian Wacker reveals why Phil Mickelson is better suited than Tiger Woods to win this week. Column SIX THINGS TO CONSIDER: Ryan Smithson pinpoints some areas that may determine Phil's or Tiger's fate at TPC Sawgrass. Column BY THE NUMBERS: How Phil and Tiger have performed on the Stadium Course. Chart IN THE SAME FIELD: Phil and Tiger have played in the same PGA TOUR event more than 170 times in their careers. Story PAIRED TOGETHER: Here's a breakdown of the 24 times. Story PHOTO GALLERY: Check out this selection of photos. Photo Gallery VICTORY ROOM: Tiger Woods archive

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Historically speaking, the chances of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods being paired together this week at THE PLAYERS Championship are slim.

Mickelson has played 1,418 rounds in TOUR events in his career; Woods has played 932 rounds. And yet the world's top two players have been paired together just 24 times.

Just once have they been paired together at THE PLAYERS. That came in the third round in 2001, the year of Woods' only PLAYERS win at TPC Sawgrass.

Eight of those 24 rounds have come in majors, including the final round of the 2009 Masters in which each player made charges but both came up short of reaching the playoff that was eventually won by Angel Cabrera.

In those 24 rounds, Woods has a scoring average of 68.96 to Mickelson's 70.13. Woods has shot the lower round 11 times, Mickelson nine times. Four times they've carded the same score.

Here's a look at those 24 rounds that Mickelson and Woods (and, on nine occasions, a third player) have shared: