Mickelson replaces Bill Clinton as CareerBuilder Challenge ambassador

The tournament formerly known as The Hope might now go by The Thrill.

Phil Mickelson was announced Wednesday as the new ambassador for the CareerBuilder Challenge, the PGA Tour stop in the California desert. Mickelson is taking over for former President Bill Clinton, whose formal relationship with the tournament through his Clinton Foundation has come to an end.

“I’m very excited to undertake the role of tournament ambassador and look forward to doing what I can to help with the continued growth of the CareerBuilder Challenge,” Mickelson said in a release. “Our family loves the area and we have a home in Coachella Valley, so this is a natural fit for me.”

Mickelson will promote the tournament, compete in it and participate in a number of tournament functions during championship week.

The CareerBuilder Challenge, the modern name of the Bob Hope Classic, is typically slotted as the third PGA Tour event in a calendar year, serving as the first event on the U.S. mainland after the Tour spends two weeks in Hawaii.

During the Clinton Foundation’s involvement with the tournament, the foundation convened a pre-tournament health conference. That will be replaced starting in 2018 with a labor market and job skills conference, fitting in with title sponsor CareerBuilder’s business.

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