Mickelson optimistic despite Tiger's absence

Phil Mickelson believes he and David Toms have the potential to be just as effective in golf's World Cup this week as he and Tiger Woods would have been.

There was inevitable disappointment among Mexican fans that Woods had withdrawn.

But it meant Mickelson was back with his Ryder Cup partner Toms, and he said: "I felt we were going to be every bit as good a team as if Tiger and I had played together.

"I think the reason (for Woods' non-appearance) is that Tiger has played a lot the last month.