PARAMUS, N.J. (PA) -- World No. 2 Phil Mickelson is hoping to salvage his season -- starting this week with success in the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup.

Mickelson tees off on Thursday in The Barclays at Ridgewood Country Club, the first of four FedEx Cup playoff events that culminate at the end of September with the top 30 points-scorers at East Lake for The Tour Championship.

The knockout format excites Mickelson, and the left-hander believes it offers an alternative barometer of success in a year that has seen Trevor Immelman win the Masters, Tiger Woods land the U.S. Open, Padraig Harrington win back-to-back at the British Open and PGA Championship, and Sergio Garcia win the unofficial "fifth major," The Players Championship.

"I think that The Players Championship and the FedExCup have enough credibility to offset a season if you were to do well in those events, and not win a major," Mickelson said.

"But still, the majors have had that sense of history that is hard to replace in just two years," he added. "But still I think anybody that does well and plays well in the FedExCup and wins the FedExCup, I think that would ease anything if they didn't play well in the majors."

After threatening the lead on the final day of the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills two weeks ago before finishing with a tie for seventh, Mickelson has been working on his game and spending some valuable time with his family ahead of a six-week stretch that also will include the Ryder Cup.

"I'm excited about the next six weeks," he said. "We as a family know they are going to be difficult because we play five of them and they are stressful; with the Ryder Cup being a stressful yet fun week and the kids are not with us.

"The next few weeks are going to be tough. They start school in the middle of this," he added. "But it's also the end. It's the end of the season."

Mickelson is hoping his FedExCup campaign will not only close out his year successfully but serve as a springboard to next season. For now, though, he is feeling sharp and likes where his game is at.

"I feel like I'm close," he said. "I feel like I've been playing some pretty good golf. I haven't taken it to that last level of winning, but I've been just below."

Mickelson is also convinced he will get a boost playing in the New York-New Jersey area where the fans have really got behind him on previous visits, including the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage and his victory at the 2005 PGA Championship at nearby Baltusrol.

Asked what the fans liked so much about him, Mickelson replied with a smile: "I mean, I could say that I'm cute, but that's really not true. I mean, my wife thinks that but not many others.

"I don't know. It's flattering. It's cool," he added. "I've always loved playing here, and since 2002 at Bethpage, I had one of the most amazing experiences there, and winning the 2005 PGA at Baltusrol was an incredible experience.

"I love playing golf here, and the people here have just been incredibly supportive and warm towards me and my family, and we love it here."

Copyright 2008 PA Sport. All rights reserved.