• PGA Tour

Mickelson to play at Colonial and Memorial

ESPN staff
May 11, 2010
Phil Mickelson has never been world No. 1 © Getty Images
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Phil Mickelson has placed himself in an ideal position to wrestle the world No. 1 ranking from Tiger Woods by confirming he will play in two tournaments before the US Open which begins on June 17.

Mickelson is within hailing distance of Woods at the top of the tree after the world No. 1 quit the Players Championship at the weekend with a neck injury.

Woods said on Monday that his schedule was "up in the air" on account of his injury and there is no guarantee he will play in the US Open or before. But there is every chance he could be deposed as No. 1 before the US Open gets underway at Pebble Beach as Mickelson will tee it up at both the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and Memorial Tournament.

"I've decided to play the Colonial and the Memorial in preparation for the Open," Mickelson told his website. "I'll be skipping St. Jude this year. They do a nice job with the tournament but with the Bermuda grass and probable heat there it makes more sense for me to get in a couple of practice rounds at Pebble Beach that week instead."

Mickelson was a winner at Colonial in 2008 but missed the event the following year after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.

He will have no ranking points to defend on May 27, meaning a high finish could see him displace Woods who has held the No. 1 spot for the last 259 weeks.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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