Lemont, Ill. – Phil Mickelson withdrew Tuesday from the BMW Championship, one day after threatening not to play because of a conflict he had with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem over issues he wouldn’t explain.
“This decision was not an easy one to make, and in no way is meant as disrespectful to the tour or ‘sending a message’ to anyone,” Mickelson said in a statement. “I’ve talked for weeks about needing to find a balance between my game, my business affairs and my family, and now is the time for me to take some time off.”
Mickelson said he would be in Atlanta next week for the Tour Championship.
If all the best players are going to compete together in these PGA Tour Playoffs, it looks as though it won’t happen until the fourth and final event next week at the Tour Championship.
Mickelson wasn’t the only player to withdraw. British Open champion Padraig Harrington also announced he was taking this week off, citing fatigue.
