Phil Mickelson has decided to not face the music.
Mickelson advised the PGA of America on Friday that he won’t be playing in next week’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Now all eyes will focus on Mickelson to see if he shows up in June at the inaugural LIV Series event outside London. If he does, it’s a given that he will be suspended from the PGA Tour if he already hasn’t been.
Since 1960, the only defending champion who did play was Tiger Woods, the 2007 winner at Southern Hills who couldn’t play in 2008 while recovering from knee surgery.
Stricker In Front At Regions Tradition:
Steve Stricker added a 68 to his first-round 65 Friday and is the 36-hole leader at the Regions Tradition at 11-under par.
Stricker was two shots ahead of Scott McCarron (70-65) and Paddy Harrington (69-66). Ernie Els was sitting by himself at eight-under after a pair of 68s.
Schwab Cup points leader Steve Alker was at seven-under along with Miguel Angel Jimenez and Stuart Appleby.
Minjee Lee (63) Charges Into Lead At Founders Cup:
World No. 5 Minjee Lee birdied four of her first six holes Friday then went on to threaten the 59 number before she finally finished with a nine-under par 63 at the Founders Cup.
Lee stands at an impressive 14-under par at the halfway mark at Upper Montclair Country Club — she’s three shots clear of Lexi Thompson (67-66), Ally Ewing (67-66) and first round leader Madelene Sagstrom who followed up her opening 63 with a 70.
Lee had a shot at 59 but she needed to birdie her final three holes. Instead, she made bogey at the tough 16th then parred in.
2 Comments
baxter cepeda
I was wrong… I really cannot believe it…I really believed Phil would play.
Your probably correct Phil doesn’t want to face the music. The PgA of America made it pretty clear they wanted him there. Whether he did it for himself or the pga, Phil got scared away.
This saga makes the hair all over stand up.
I really thought this was the right time for Lefty to play finally. At least the tough questions would be balanced by some about the high of last year.
This is one sad day. Imo.
I just really don’t like the stressful position these beloved players are in just for trying to bring new fortunes into the sport.
Tom Edrington
Baxter, I think SAD is the word here — Sad he’s not playing, sad he’s in this position. Things will only get worse if he defects and plays in London — it will only serve to tarnish a Hall of Fame career.