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AL MUROOJ, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 05: Phil Mickelson of USA looks on after playing from a bunker on the 10th hole during day three of the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on February 05, 2022 in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images)
via Getty
AL MUROOJ, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 05: Phil Mickelson of USA looks on after playing from a bunker on the 10th hole during day three of the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on February 05, 2022 in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images)
The wait has been dreadful, but the news is finally here. Next week, the PGA Championship will take place at Southern Hills, and a field of star-studded golfers will produce a thrilling watch over four days. Whenever a golf tournament begins, there are always eyes on the favorites. But more than that, the defending champion will take over as the center of attention, and in this case, it is Phil Mickelson.
Is Phil Mickelson playing in the 2022 PGA Championship?
The initial release by the PGA of America a week ago had Phil Mickelson listed on the field. It created waves around the golf community that the six-major winner was finally going to return to competitive action for the first time since the Farmers Insurance Open in January. Mickelson missed the cut that week and made it two missed cuts in two starts, having achieved the same fate at The American Express the week before.
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It has been a long wait and there was massive speculation that the 51-year-old will defend his title at the PGA Championship. The Wanamaker trophy went into Mickelson’s hands for the second time in his career at the Ocean Course last year, but it is now official that the 45-time PGA winner will not compete at Southern Hills from May 19-22.
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AL MUROOJ, SAUDI ARABIA – FEBRUARY 04: Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts on the 9th hole during day two of the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on February 4, 2022 in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images)
Amidst all the talk about leaving the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, Mickelson withdrawing from the 2022 PGA Championship will certainly raise some questions. When will he play next? Will it be the inaugural LIV Golf event?
Regarding Phil, attention now turns to the first LIV event. It starts June 9. If he has received money upfront, as has been reported, it’d be a logical reentry point.
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) May 13, 2022
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The official announcement brought to light that Mickelson will not defend his title this year. The PGA of America also informed in a statement that Mickelson was welcome to participate, but he withdrew. “We wish Phil and Amy the very best and look forward to his return to golf, the statement concluded.”
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 13, 2022
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Phil Mickelson has certainly taken a huge decision by choosing to withdraw from the 2022 PGA Championship. It will be the first field since 1993 without Mickelson’s name on it.
