After what happened to the Tucson Conquistadores back in 1999, when the tournament sponsor’s long-running event was reduced by the PGA Tour to satellite status opposite the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, the Old Pueblo is getting some sweet revenge.

Now, wouldn’t it be poetic justice if Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson squared off in the Match Play’s biggest-hyped, 36-hole finale ever?

Unfortunately, it won’t happen.

Should Woods and Mickelson win their initial four matches on the South Course at the Gallery Golf Club at Dove Mountain, they would meet in the semifinals. That’s because Tiger is seeded No. 1 for this $8 million production involving the world’s top 64 ranked players, and Mickelson just jumped from No. 6 to No. 4 this week with his – where did this come from? – win at Pebble Beach.

Still, a semifinal slugfest billed as “Tiger vs. Lefty” would be the perfect capper to this incredible reversal of fortune, right? Especially if Mickelson’s game stays center-cut this weekend at the Nissan Open in Los Angeles.

Let’s see, Phil with two wins in a row coming in, or Tiger’s streak of seven straight being on the line? This might sound like a rather large leap, but I like Lefty’s momentum – should he keep it -- just a tad more than Tiger’s.

Before you call me crazier than David Feherty, here’s why I like Mickelson’s chances over Woods’. Tiger’s streak, which dates back to his win at the British Open, is nothing more than selective scheduling. (Check out his four “international’’ losses along the way.) And Mickelson might have found something last week. (Like a driver and putter he can rely on.)

Then again, Tiger has won the Match Play twice (2003, ’04) and was beaten by Darren Clarke in the finals of 2000. OK, so I’m not taking bets on my prediction, if that’s what you mean.

In the beginning, this particular tournament wasn’t all that stellar with champions like Jeff Maggert, Steve Stricker, Kevin Sutherland and Clarke all hitting the jackpot, which this year has soared to $1.35 million to the winner. But it’s been better the past four years, with David Toms, Geoff Ogilvy and Tiger times two.

There never has been a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in the Match Play. Chances are it won’t happen this time, although Woods and Jim Furyk (currently No. 2) would be worthy but way less sensational than Woods-Mickelson even if Furyk is a former University of Arizona Wildcat.

But who knows? About the only thing that’s certain about match play is that nothing is certain. Woods was beaten in this format two years ago in the second round by Nick O’Hern, and last year fell to Chad Campbell in the third round. Mickelson isn’t much better, bowing out twice in the third round during that same span.

Despite having three of the top four seeds (Australia’s Adam Scott is No. 3), this will be the lowest number of Americans in the field ever. There are only 22 Yanks compared with 19 Europeans and 23 Internationals. That’s down from 25 participants from the U.S. last year, and a high of 40 in 1999.

The only question mark among the top 64 in the world is Scottsdale’s Arron Oberholser, the world’s No. 47 ranked player, who is suffering from a bulging disk in his back. If he drops out, Woods would play J.J. Henry, who is ranked No. 65.

As it stands, Brett Quigley is the No. 64 guy, and will meet Tiger in the first round, while Mickelson tries to stave off Bradley Dredge. Quigley, who has a great sense of humor, is just the type of laidback guy who could upset Woods.

“In order to win the tournament, you have to beat everybody . . . and at some point, you’ll probably have to play Tiger,’’ Quigley told the Associated Press. “I know I’ll be as good as I can ever be. I’m not going to Stephen Ames this!’’

Ah, yes, Woods’ 9-and-8 humiliation of Ames during last year’s first round remains the standard for blowouts in match play. About the only thing better to watch in this type of unpredictable format is a truly spectacular shootout coming down the stretch – a mano-y-mano duel for the ages.

It’s never happened yet in the Match Play. But Tucson, the Conquistadores and the faithful golf fans of the Old Pueblo deserve those types of headlines, even if “Tiger vs. Lefty” could come one match too early.