Mickelson withdraws from BMW Championship

Golf News

Sep 4, 2007, 18:53 GMT

Scottsdale, AZ - Phil Mickelson withdrew from the upcoming BMW Championship on Tuesday, one day after moving to the top of the FedEx Cup Playoff points list with his win at the Deutsche Bank Championship.Mickelson had some pointed things to say after his win at the TPC of Boston on Monday. After taking the title while playing in the final group with Tiger Woods, Mickelson said that he was undecided about whether to play in the BMW Championship, which starts Thursday at Cog Hill outside Chicago.'I would be paired with Tiger again. I think it would be good for the tour and the FedEx Cup,' Mickelson said to NBC. 'But another part of me is very frustrated because for the past year I've been asking the commissioner (Tim Finchem) to do a couple of things and I told him I would play the last four events, and he has not done that. And so I am torn right in between.'Mickelson is no longer torn, but his spot is somewhat safe. Only the next four players on the FedEx Cup Playoff points list (Steve Stricker, Woods, K.J. Choi or Rory Sabbatini) can surpass Mickelson for first place.'This decision was not an easy one to make,' Mickelson said in a statement, 'and in no way is meant as disrespectful to the tour or 'sending a message' to anyone. I've talked for weeks about needing to find a balance between my game, my business affairs and my family and now is the time for me to take some time off.'Mickelson is not the only player to miss out on one of the four FedEx Cup Playoff events. Woods passed on The Barclays, the first event, after wins at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship. Ernie Els and Scott Verplank skipped the Deutsche Bank Championship and reigning British Open champion Padraig Harrington also withdrew from the BMW Championship.Mickelson did acknowledge he will play the Tour Championship in two weeks, an event he has passed on in the past.'I'm really looking forward to returning to the Tour Championship next week in Atlanta with the momentum I've been building and, hopefully, winning the first FedEx Cup,' Mickelson said in his statement.© 2007 The Sports Network

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