Atlanta, GA …

Former long-time arch rival Phil Mickelson has led the praise for Tiger Woods in ending a half-decade winless drought to capture the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Mickelson completed close to three hours before Woods strolled to a ?? shot victory for a ?? -under par victory tally on the East Lake course.

“He’s played such good golf all year that is just not surprising and it’s just a matter of time before he does win,” he said.

“Tiger’s played so well on a very difficult golf course and we almost kind of expected it.

Phil Mickelson after his round (Photo @tourmiss)

“I had no doubt he would not win again and not from what I’ve seen he’s been swinging the club and the way he’s being playing.

“We knew it would happen and, as I said, it was just a matter of time.”

The victory lifts Woods tally to 80 PGA Tour titles and just three wins shy of becoming the all-time winningest player in the history of the PGA Tour.

In contrast, Mickelson’s form continues to allude the 48-year old ahead of joining Woods and his other 10 USA Ryder Cup colleagues on a ex-Atlanta charter flight Sunday night (local Atlanta time) bound direct to Paris ahead of Friday’s start to the Ryder Cup in Versailles.

Mickelson finished near the field a fortnight ago in the BMW Championship and he tailed-off the 30-player Tour Championship event with rounds of 73, 72, 76 and 72 for a 13-over par tally and 24 more strokes than Woods.

Mickelson managed just 10 birdies over the four days but also posted 15 bogeys and five double-bogeys.

“I don’t know what to say as I clearly didn’t play well but had a good year to get here,” he said when asked about his week.

“It was not the week here I would have liked heading into any big tournament but next week in France is going to be totally different with different grass, different course and different everything so we’ll see.

“It’s going to be a special week and with Patrick (Reed) and I playing together today we were talking about it and it’s going to be a fun and exciting week.

“We have a lot of guys on this team that are great players and have great leadership skills and it will help to make for a fun week and help bring the best out of each of us.

“We have a lot of really good young talented players that makes for a very solid team as does the European side, so  I think it should be a great match.”