The Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman joined The Back Nine to discuss the Mickelson's battle against Breast Cancer, the upcoming US Open at Bethpage and the debut of Operation Links which airs Monday on The Golf Channel.

It's not often we talk about Tiger Woods in a final pairing on Sunday to not turn the page and reflect on his victory and pursuit of another record. But such is the case this week as Tiger failed to deliver after being provided an open door on Sunday at the TPC of Sawgrass.

The landscape of college golf has changed as much, if not more, than the PGA Tour since a young man from Stanford declared, "hello world". The evolution of digital media has created a home for coverage of the amateur, collegiate and junior golf scene that otherwise was relegated to the back page of a local paper if covered at all.

It's a moment in time to reflect on what was and what may be. For many, 2008 was a year of uncertainty and struggle – on and off the golf course. History was made with the first African American elected to the office of President of the United States. The U.S. economy is as bad as many of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. Michael Phelps dominated the cover of Sports Illustrated. Tiger Woods electrified the golfing world winning the U.S. Open on essentially one leg and then disappeared to rehab what was a more serious injury than many understood at the time. Annika Sorenstam said goodbye, at least for now. Greg Norman resurfaced on the golf scene and this time with a Tennis star by his side. We were introduced to Anthony, Boo, J.B. and Hunter. Michelle Wie has a home on the LPGA Tour.

What an exciting final day to cap off an exciting weekend of golf at the Ryder Cup. Congratulations to the PGA of America, Paul Azinger and the 12 American players who recaptured the Ryder Cup for the ole Red, White and Blue.