PHOENIX // Phil Mickelson’s bad back will not keep him out of this week’s Phoenix Open, the Golf Channel reported on Wednesday.
Tim Rosaforte, the Golf Channel reporter, said on his Twitter feed that Mickelson had texted him to confirm he would tee it up for a title defence.
Mickelson’s participation had been in doubt since he withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines last Friday with back pain, despite making the halfway cut.
Mickelson, who flew to Dalton, Georgia, to consult a back specialist, said in a statement earlier this week that he wanted to play, but had to make sure he preserves his health for other tournaments – including the year’s four majors.
He had said he would test his back with some practice on Wednesday and decide whether to play.
Mickelson came tantalisingly close to golf’s magic number of 59 in the first round here at the TPC Scottsdale last year, when his 25-foot birdie putt at his last hole curled around the rim of the cup but did not drop.
From that opening 60 he went on to romp to a wire-to-wire, four-stroke victory.
It was his third title in the event, where as a graduate of Arizona State University he is a beloved fan favourite.
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