Mickelson receives treatment, will try to play Phoenix Open

By John Strege

Phil Mickelson, who withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open with back pain on Friday, will attempt to defend his championship in the Waste Management Phoenix Open this week.

Mickelson flew to Dalton, Ga., to seek treatment from back specialist Tom Boers, a renowned physical therapist whose clientele has included Davis Love III, Fred Couples, Greg Norman, Brad Faxon, Loren Roberts and Larry Mize.

"My facet joints had locked up," Mickelson said in a news release. "Tom restored my mobility, but I still have inflammation that will take a week or two to subside."

Mickelson will fly to Scottsdale on Wednesday, "and if it goes well, I may try to play," he said. "If it was any other tournament I'd skip it, but I'm defending, it's my second hometown and I love the event."

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