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The TOUR Championship 2012 Preview: FedEx Cup No. 4 Phil Mickelson Goes For First Career Title

Former ASU Sun Devil Phil Mickelson will chase his first career FedEx Cup title on Thursday in a strong field of the top-30 leaders in points.

SHANGHAI CHINA - NOVEMBER 04:  Phil Mickelson of the USA during the first round of the WGC - HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 4 2010 in Shanghai China.  (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI CHINA - NOVEMBER 04: Phil Mickelson of the USA during the first round of the WGC - HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club on November 4 2010 in Shanghai China. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
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Former Arizona State Sun Devil Phil Mickelson will chase his first career FedEx Cup victory with a win at the 2012 TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta beginning on Thursday.

Mickelson is currently fourth in the FedEx Cup standings and will contend against a field of the top-30 in points in the PGA TOUR's playoffs. He'll have to deal with world No.'s 1 and 2, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, in order to win the $10M prize and be crowned the playoff victor.

East Lake has been a friendly venue for Mickelson, who has won twice at the prestigious club in 2000 and 2009. He's the only player to have done so and one of three to have qualified for every FedEx Cup final. His chances to come away with the win are as good as ever -- he's fifth on the TOUR in Strokes Gained-Putting and posted top-5 finishes in the last two events at Crooked Stick and TPC Boston.

Mickelson will tee of on hole No. 1 at East Lake at 1:45 p.m. ET and will be paired with Nick Watney in Thursday's opening round.

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