Recently a Golf Digest article came out where Phil Mickelson indicated he might not play in this year’s PLAYERS Championship. Being one of the leaders on the world stage, should he skip a tournament of this stature? It would be disappointing not having him participate but Phil doesn’t feel he’s a “horse on this course” as he sprays the ball a little too much, and even though he’s won here, it doesn’t set up well for him. I say, “skip it.”
Professional golf is unique because players get to choose where and when they compete. You are measured in two categories; total wins and victories in the majors. Phil is 9th all-time with 44 wins and five major titles. The better you are, the more selective you can be. More importantly, he’s in the 20-win club and has earned a lifetime exemption to play whenever he wants.
Other players before him have set the bar on selective participation. Rory McIlroy skipped the Olympics in Rio. Sergio Garcia skipped a recent FedEx playoff event because he was too tired. Several American pros have been known to skip the British Open because of the travel burden. Back in 1987, Greg Norman expressed a vehement displeasure with the 9th green at TPC of Avenel and didn’t play the Kemper Open for several years afterwards.
I will miss Phil’s participation if he elects not to play because I get a perverse pleasure of watching pros struggle with courses they are not suited for. Isn’t it fun watching Rory battle his internal demons at Augusta? Or watching Phil’s never-ending quest for the US Open with his cache of painful second-place finishes? Occasionally, someone breaks through like Sergio at The Masters. He had always underwhelmed at Augusta and had a horrible final round choking reputation. Bam! All gone in a flash. Very cool.
So, if Phil skips The PLAYERS, I’ll be fine. What about you?
All About Golf 
Brian,
It is always great to watch the best in the world play in the big matches. It brings credibility to the field and the winner feels something more because he beat the best. Yet in this case, the field will not suffer with the loss of Mickelson because there are many young lions ready to step up and take his place.
I will, however miss his the unpredictability he brings when he plays. You just never know what he is going to do next; what great shot he tries; or seeing the senior play school the big boomers.
I will not lose any sleep that Phil is not playing in the Players, but we shall see. If he gets on a win streak he might just change his mind.
Cheers Jim
Jim, with the new condensed schedule, it wouldn’t surprise me if more of the big names started taking tournaments off. Everyone is geared towards peaking for the majors. I can’t help but think that Phil is thinking “Masters prep” and how TPC falls too close in proximity. I hope some of the other big name tournaments like Memorial and Bay Hill don’t suffer as well. We will know for sure very shortly!
Thanks,
Brian