One prominent golf analyst expects Mickelson to play at TPC

Count CBS Sports golf analyst and part time Valley resident Gary McCord as one who believes that Phil Mickelson’s balky back won’t keep him out of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

“I do (expect him to play),” McCord told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a phone interview Wednesday morning. ” I talked to “Bones” [Jim Mackay, Mickelson’s caddy] yesterday. His (lower back joint) got enflamed. He’s got no movement on his back left side. He was in Atlanta getting it fixed…he doesn’t get hurt much. He’ll figure out a way to get there.”

I would would be disappointed but not upset if Mickelson wouldn’t be able to defend his 2013 Phoenix Open title. He has done so much for this tourney but he needs to worry about himself and not try to do something just to please the public which could result in a bigger setback.

Mickelson withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open last week in San Diego and skipped Wednesday’s Pro-Am at TPC Scottsdale.