Could Mickelson miss the WM Open?

A creaky back caused defending Waste Management Open Champion Phil Mickelson to withdraw from the PGA Tour stop at Torrey Pines late Friday night.

Before withdrawing from San Diego, Mickelson told the media, “I have the entire year, I’ve got majors coming up, I’ve got other tournaments coming up and I don’t want to get into bad habits”.

Mickelson added that in the first round his back “locked up” and that “it’s just tight and I just couldn’t swing from the top.”

The Waste Management Phoenix Open people have been told that Mickelson will see how his back responds to treatment and that he hopes to play next week. He has won three times at TPC Scottsdale.