WORLD CUP GOLF Mickelson-Toms hope to give U.S. 7th crown

A total of 24 two-man teams tee off today in the opening round in Mexico.
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) -- Paul McGinley's life has gotten a lot more hectic since he made that 8-foot putt in the final round of the Ryder Cup.
Padraig Harrington may be much more comfortable because of how he's played the last two months.
It's been a memorable season for the two Irishmen, one they'd like to finish off with a win this week in the World Cup. The two-man event with an international field of 24 teams began today at the Vista Vallarta course.
Americans top seed
The American team of Phil Mickelson and David Toms is the top seed and will be trying to give the United States a seventh World Cup win in the last 11 years.
"I don't know if there's any pressure," Toms said of the Americans' top-seeding. "If we play well, we'll be there at the end."
Harrington and McGinley have handled pressure very well this year. Both played prominent roles in Europe's Ryder Cup win over the United States.
McGinley's par putt on the final hole at The Belfry clinched the Europeans' biggest win in 17 years, and Harrington beat Mark Calcavecchia 5 and 4 in the final round.
"My life has been extremely busy since then," McGinley said. "Even coming here to Mexico, the Mexican people are saying, 'Congratulations on the putt.' It's nice to remembered for something as positive as that."
Harrington went head-to-head with Tiger Woods last week in the last two rounds of the Target Challenge and beat him by two shots. Harrington shot a course-record 63 on Saturday, then held off Woods' charge on Sunday.
That win was worth $1 million and was Harrington's third victory in the last two months, during which he's won more than $2 million.
Played well in Ryder Cup
Mickelson and Toms played well together in the Ryder Cup, posting a record of 2-1-1. Toms said the World Cup format of best ball for two days and alternate shot for the other two rounds should help his team.
"I'm a steady player and he likes to go for it," Toms said.
Mickelson has struggled with his driver recently and said last week he might hit more irons off the tee in the World Cup. He scrapped that idea after Wednesday's practice round.
"I'll be hitting a lot of drivers," Mickelson said. "The fairways are plenty generous, and it's critical to carry the ball a good distance."