ESPN Golf

A respiratory problem that has plagued him since October has Phil Mickelson under a doctor's orders to stay in bed for two days, raising the possibility that he could miss his first scheduled PGA Tour event of the year at this week's Buick Invitational in San Diego.

Mickelson

According to Mickelson's management company, Gaylord Sports, the second-ranked player in the world has been plagued by heavy congestion, shortness of breath and fatigue since October. That was about the time his Southern California neighborhood was severely damaged by wildfires.

Mickelson became ill a short time later while playing golf in Singapore, but he did rebound the following week to win the HSBC Champions, a European Tour event played in China in November. According to Gaylord spokesman T.R. Reinman, Mickelson has not felt 100 percent since that time, and his condition worsened over the weekend.

He visited a doctor Monday morning, was told to rest for two days, but hopes to play in the Buick pro-am on Wednesday and then compete in the tournament at Torrey Pines, which begins Thursday.

Mickelson, 37, who has 32 PGA Tour victories and three major championships, won three times last year on the PGA Tour in addition to his win in China. He has won the Buick Invitational three times, although defending champion Tiger Woods has won the tournament the last three years.

Bob Harig is a frequent contributor to ESPN.com. He can be reached at BobHarig@gmail.com.