Phil Mickelson Leaves PGA Tour after wife Amy Mickelson gets Cancer
Phil Mickelson has left the PGA Tour for good after finding out that Amy Mickelson, his wife, has cancer, said officials yesterday. Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer after a number of tests were done on her, according to T.R. Reinman, the golfer’s manager. Reinman added that there are to be more tests, but the process of treatment is anticipated to start with a major surgery, maybe within a couple weeks.
Phil, 38, and Amy, 37, have been married for 13 years, since 1996. Together they have three children who are ages six, seven, and nine. Phil has won the Masters champion two times, as well as won the 2005 PGA Championship. Amy is reportedly one of the most active and one of the most visible wives on the tour.
Phil was scheduled to play the Byron Nelson Championship, which starts today, as well as defend his title next week at the Colonial Invitational. There has been no word yet on if he will miss the US Open next month.
Breast cancer among the pro golf circuit isn’t a first, where Heather Clarke, the wife of Darren Clarke, passed away after battling the disease for four years. Heather died only six weeks before the Ryder Cup in 2006, and Clarke continued on to be a hero for Europe, crying for fifteen minutes afterwards. At the presentation of his win, Ian Woosnam, the European captain, dedicated the win to her. During that week, Darren noted how supportive the American team and their wives had been for them both.