Mickelson Officially Out of British Open

After the U.S. Open ended last month, I wrote that it looked like Phil Mickelson would be skipping next week’s British Open, after Mickelson told reporters that he would “most likely” pass on the tournament to be with his wife Amy.  Well, you can replace the term “most likely” with “most definitely,” after Mickelson officially announced that he won’t be playing the Open at Turnberry, instead nobly choosing to be at his wife’s side as she recovers from breast cancer.

Phil and Amy Mickelson (Image: Zuma Press)

The time off from golf will also give Mickelson a chance to be with his mother, after learning that she too is suffering from breast cancer.  This latest blow came at the same time Amy Mickelson was preparing for her July 1st breast cancer surgery.

“As a professional golfer, competing in major championships and winning them is my main objective,” Mickelson said on his Web site. “But I’ve always said family is my No. 1 priority. For that reason, I won’t be playing the British Open at Turnberry next week.”

With Mickelson bowing out of the British Open, his streak of playing in major tournaments is officially ended at 61.  But streaks and golf tournaments must seem very trivial to Mickelson as he tries to deal with not one, but two important loved ones and their fight against breast cancer.