Recuperating Mickelson to make 2008 debut in Buick Invitational
SAN DIEGO -- Phil Mickelson is ready to make his debut on the 2008 PGA Tour at this week's Buick Invitational after spending the last three days in bed because of a respiratory problem.
The American world No. 2, who has been taking antibiotics, has struggled with shortness of breath and fatigue since October.
"I'm feeling much, much better," the three-time major champion said in a statement issued on Tuesday by his manager T.R. Reinman.
"I'm happy about that and looking forward to working with Butch [Harmon] to make sure everything's in order for this week."
Mickelson, a three-time winner at Torrey Pines Golf Course, is scheduled to have a practice session with his swing coach Harmon after Wednesday's pro-am competition.
His participation in this week's tournament was in doubt on Monday when he was advised by his doctor to rest for two days.
"It's unclear whether the condition was caused by working in the smoky debris on his property following the wildfires that devastated Mickelson's neighborhood or by the illness he developed immediately after that in Singapore," Reinman said.
"He managed to win the HSBC Champions the following week in Shanghai but has not felt 100 percent since then. Mickelson's condition worsened over the weekend and the doctor gave his order this morning."
Mickelson, who won the Buick Invitational in 1993, 2000 and 2001, has not played tournament golf since clinching the HSBC Champions in a three-way playoff two months ago.
The 37-year-old San Diego native had been eager to make his 2008 Tour debut this week before playing in the next four events on the West Coast swing.
The tournament starts on Thursday when world No. 1 Tiger Woods will be bidding to clinch the title for a fourth year in a row.
