Mickelson left his clubs and golf clothing when he left his room, he said. But unlike Rory McIlroy on the Sunday of the Ryder Cup 2012, he didn't need a police escort to get to Medinah on time.

"A bit of a funny deal," said Mickelson, who entered his assigned parking spot 37 minutes before his start time and switched from flip-flops to his golf shoes while he was still sitting in the driver's seat before moving to the range to get a Few discs and chips.

Woods and Mickelson were not the only American stars that left Medinah feeling. For the second consecutive year, Jordan Touriet contains 30, the 2015 FedEx Cup champion, not on the 30-man Tour Championship field.

The 30th and final player to qualify was Jason Kokrak, who signed for a final round 69 and then waited nearly two hours to see if his 11-under score would be good enough to continue in the next. event. Spieth, 26, finished with a 70 to finish 37th, in a group that included Woods, to miss a berth on East Lake with 14 places.

"I knew I needed something very special," said Spieth, "and just didn't have it."

After regrouping, Spieth, a triple-time winner and former world No. 1, will set his sights on the Presidential Cup and what he needs Woods to show that he is worthy to qualify. for one of his captain's choices.

"I don't necessarily feel that I deserve it, but I also feel that I can certainly help the team a lot," said Spieth.

The moving duel over the trajectory between the third-round leader, Thomas and Cantlay, who started six strokes back the day, had to please Woods, the captain. But Woods, the competitor, leaves this season with mixed feelings.