Phil Mickelson has committed to play in next month’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, although ultimately his health will determine whether he’s able to compete.
Mickelson hasn’t won at Torrey Pines since 2001, before the South Course was renovated for the 2008 U.S. Open. Since that time, the closest he came to a victory was in 2011 when he nearly holed out a wedge from the fairway on the final hole to force a playoff with Bubba Watson.
This year’s tournament is scheduled for Jan. 26-29.
The announcement comes 10 days after it was revealed the San Diego native recently underwent a second surgery to repair a sports hernia (the first was in October). At the time, Mickelson’s spokesman said the golfer was expected to make a full recovery but did not offer a timetable. No further announcements have been made about his condition.
Mickelson already is scheduled to be in Palm Desert for the Jan. 19-22 CareerBuilder Challenge, although it’s unknown whether he will play or serve only as a tournament ambassador.
Others committed to the Farmers include the two most recent winners, defending champion Brandt Snedeker (who also won in 2012) and world No. 1 Jason Day, along with PGA Tour Player of the Year Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.
Tiger Woods, who has won eight times as a pro at Torrey Pines, has yet to commit. He will be in California early that week for a media event at Riviera, where he is scheduled to play in February. Woods has not played in a full-field PGA Tour event since August 2015.
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