Phil Mickelson's Return: Will The Veteran Tee Off At The Farmers Insurance Open?

Phil Mickelson has a storied history with the Farmers Insurance Open, having won the tournament three times, including back-to-back wins in 2000 and 2001. However, in 2024, Mickelson announced that he would not be participating in the Farmers Insurance Open, marking the first time in 29 years that he would not be playing in his hometown PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines in San Diego. Despite his success at the tournament, Mickelson cited concerns about the course no longer being a good place for him and his desire to reduce his PGA Tour schedule as reasons for his decision.

Phil Mickelson skips the Farmers Insurance Open in 2024

For the first time in 29 years, Phil Mickelson will not be participating in his hometown PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines in San Diego. The Farmers Insurance Open will be devoid of the 48-year-old Mickelson, who has played in 28 consecutive tournaments and won three times.

Mickelson said that the course is not “a good place for him” anymore and was unsure that his game was ready for Torrey Pines. He also admitted that the arduous season has taken a toll on him, and he needs to cut back on his PGA Tour schedule.

In 2023, Mickelson committed to playing in the Farmers Insurance Open, even after undergoing two sports hernia surgeries. This was a surprise, as the 50-year-old had skipped the tournament in 2019 due to a tough travel schedule.

However, in 2024, Mickelson will not be participating in the Farmers Insurance Open. Despite his absence, the tournament still attracts many notable players, and Tiger Woods is expected to make his highly anticipated season debut at Torrey Pines.

He has played in 28 consecutive tournaments

Phil Mickelson has had an extensive history with the Farmers Insurance Open, having played in 28 consecutive tournaments. In 2024, however, he decided to skip the event for the first time in 29 years. This marked a significant shift as it was the first time in his professional career that he would not be playing in his hometown event at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

Mickelson's decision to opt out of the tournament surprised many, given his longstanding association with the event. The 48-year-old golfer had previously won the Farmers Insurance Open three times, with his first victory in 1993 when the tournament was called the Buick Invitational. He then went on to win back-to-back in 2000 and 2001, showcasing his prowess on the course.

In an announcement, Mickelson acknowledged the significance of the tournament to him and expressed his love for the community. However, he also recognised the need to cut back on his PGA Tour schedule, citing mental fatigue and the desire to focus on playing at a higher level. This decision was made easier by the fact that the course was not considered a good fit for him anymore, and he felt his game might not be ready for the challenges of Torrey Pines.

Despite his absence from the Farmers Insurance Open, Mickelson remained an active participant in other golf tournaments. He mentioned that he would be playing in the Desert Classic in La Quinta, California, followed by appearances at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Mickelson's presence at Torrey Pines will undoubtedly be missed, but his decision underscores the importance of prioritising wellbeing and performance in the demanding world of professional golf.

He has won the tournament three times

Phil Mickelson has had a long and illustrious career in golf, with 44 career wins. One of the tournaments he has won multiple times is the Farmers Insurance Open, which he has won three times.

Mickelson's first win at the Farmers Insurance Open came in 1993 when the event was called the Buick Invitational. He then went on to win it in back-to-back years in 2000 and 2001. Interestingly, Mickelson has not been able to replicate this success since the iconic South Course at Torrey Pines was redesigned in 2001. Despite this, his three wins at the tournament showcase his skill and consistency during that period.

Mickelson's participation in the Farmers Insurance Open holds significance due to it being his hometown event in San Diego. In 2021, at the age of 50, Mickelson committed to playing the tournament once again, marking his return to Torrey Pines. This decision was particularly notable given the physical demands of continent-skipping for a golfer of his age. However, in 2024, Mickelson announced that he would be skipping the tournament for the first time in 29 years, citing the need to cut back on his PGA Tour schedule and focus on playing select tournaments at a higher level.

Despite not adding to his tally of wins at Torrey Pines since 2001, Mickelson's three victories at the Farmers Insurance Open remain an impressive feat. His performance in this tournament has undoubtedly contributed to his overall success in the sport.

He cites mental fatigue as a reason for cutting back on his PGA Tour schedule

Phil Mickelson, the American professional golfer, has been playing golf for over 30 years. In 2019, he hinted at cutting back on his PGA Tour schedule, citing mental fatigue as a reason. This was not the first time he had cited mental fatigue as a reason for withdrawing from a tournament. Back in 2012, he withdrew from the Memorial Tournament, attributing his decision to mental exhaustion.

Mickelson's decision to cut back on his PGA Tour schedule was influenced by the realisation that the arduous season was taking a toll on him. With 43 PGA Tour wins under his belt at the time, he acknowledged the need to reduce his tournament appearances to maintain his performance at a high level.

In an interview, Mickelson shared his thoughts on the matter:

> "I’m going to have to start limiting the number of tournaments that I play so that I can play those at a higher level, because I’m getting a little bit more mental fatigue and not able to focus and see the shot as clearly as I’d like for so many weeks in a row."

Mickelson's decision highlights the importance of prioritising mental health and well-being, even for top athletes. By cutting back on his schedule, he aimed to preserve his mental focus and clarity, ensuring he could perform at his best when he did compete.

Mickelson's approach to mental training extended beyond mere rest and recovery. He recognised the need to actively train his mind, viewing it as a muscle that required exercise. To enhance his mental game, he adopted various techniques, including controlled nasal breathing exercises, meditation, and neurological breathing techniques for improved focus.

Mickelson's dedication to refining his mental skills demonstrates his commitment to continuous improvement, even late in his career. By prioritising his mental health and adopting specific training techniques, he aimed to maintain his competitive edge and prolong his success in the sport.

He has undergone two sports hernia surgeries

Phil Mickelson has undergone two sports hernia surgeries. The first surgery was on October 19, 2016, three days after finishing tied for eighth place in the PGA Tour's season-opening Safeway Open. The procedure was to repair a walnut-sized umbilical hernia behind his belly button, which Mickelson described as "a little annoying" but "no big deal".

Mickelson's management group, Lagadere Sports, announced his second surgery, which occurred sometime in early April 2023. The surgery was to repair a recurrence of the sports hernia. The timeline for his return to competitive golf was uncertain at the time, but a full recovery was expected.

Indeed, Mickelson committed to playing in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in his hometown of San Diego in late January 2024, even after his recent second surgery. This marked the first time in 29 years that Mickelson did not play in his hometown event at Torrey Pines, as he had played in 28 consecutive tournaments and won three times.

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