Golf-Champion Mickelson ever mindful of the Tiger factor

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

NORTON, Massachusetts, Aug 28 (Reuters) - The injured Tiger Woods is a conspicuous absentee from this week's Deutsche Bank Championship but his influence on the game weighs heavily on the mind of title-holder Phil Mickelson.

The American left-hander treasures memories of his two-shot victory over Woods at last year's tournament and on Thursday he paid tribute to the world number one's role in golf.

"I think we're lucky to have the most recognisable and largest icon in all of sport playing ours," second-ranked Mickelson, 36, told reporters at the TPC Boston.

"If Tiger was not around .... and I was able to be the No. 1 player in the world, I'd be making half as much (money) as I am now because of him.

"I am very thankful for the fact that he's in our sport and he's had the success and the charisma and the lure to attract Corporate America as well as fans to the game. We're all fortunate."

Woods, already widely regarded as the game's greatest player, has ushered in an era of multi-million dollar endorsements and lucrative appearance money since turning professional in 1996.

His Afro-American-Asian background has spread the sport to an audience far beyond its traditional image of male, white and middle-class and he trails only Jack Nicklaus (18) with his tally of major victories.

Despite nursing a knee injury and double stress fracture, Woods clinched his 14th grand slam title at the U.S. Open in June before ending his season to have reconstructive knee surgery.