Phil Mickelson withdraws from the Texas Open because of pulled muscle

It appears 2014 is the year of the WD, as Phil Mickelson pulled out of the Texas Open on Saturday citing a pulled muscle in his side.

Mickelson, who withdrew earlier this season at Torrey Pines, made it two in his last six starts with this move during his third round, grabbing his side on the 11th hole after a swing.

The early exit for Phil means that two of golf’s biggest names have withdrawn from four tournaments this year as Tiger Woods walked off the course at the Honda Classic on Sunday because of a back injury and was forced to pull out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational before it started because of continued back pain.

The question for both now is Augusta National. Phil is a favorite whenever he tees it up at the Masters, winning three of the last 10 green jackets, and Tiger is obviously a factor at Augusta whenever he arrives healthy. If neither of these men arrive 100 percent it could cast a shadow on the first major championship of the season.

As for next week, Phil’s caddie, Jim Mackay, told reporters after the decision was made that Phil will play at the Shell Houston Open, an event on his schedule, “if he can.”

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo Sports