Mickelson can play despite missing pro-am event
IRVING, Texas -- Phil Mickelson has been given the green light by officials to play in this week's Byron Nelson Championship, despite missing Wednesday's pro-am tournament.
Mickelson, the 1996 Byron Nelson champion, was stranded in Arkansas on Tuesday night after severe thunderstorms in the Dallas area forced the cancellation of his flight.
"Phil did everything physically possible to get here Tuesday night but was grounded in Little Rock due to circumstances completely beyond his control," PGA Tour chief of operations Henry Hughes said in a statement.
Under Tour regulations, players are required to take part in pro-ams if they wish to compete in the tournament.
However, the Tour can make exceptions if there are "extenuating circumstances."
Mickelson, who at No. 4 in the world is the highest-ranked player in this week's field, was in Little Rock to take part in a charity event Tuesday.
After missing his early morning tee time in Wednesday's pro-am, Mickelson arrived at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in time to have lunch with his amateur partners.
The three-time major winner will be making his first tournament appearance since announcing Monday that he was switching allegiance to swing coach Butch Harmon.
Mickelson has not played since the Masters.
