Phil Mickelson Will Skip British Open to Be with Wife

Three-time Major winner Phil Mickelson will miss the British Open for the first time in his career, to be with his wife Amy, as she starts the recovery process from breast cancer. Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 20, 2009 and had surgery on July 1. Mickelson suspended his PGA Tour schedule indefinitely when he learned the news. Mickelson missed two tournaments, including one where he was the defending champion, before announcing that he would return to the PGA Tour at the US Open. Amy and Phil were married in 1996 and have three kids together.

Mickelson had hinted that he would not participate in the British Open last month, when he said that it was "highly unlikely" that he would play in Turnberry.

Not competing in the British Open means that Mickelson ends the longest active streak of majors played with 61 consecutive majors. Now Vijah Singh holds the record for most consecutive majors played, as he will play his 61th straight one at the Open Championship. Mickelson will be replaced in the field by Ben Crane, who was the first alternate.

This year's British Open will mark the 138th one, and it is scheduled to be played from July 16-19, 2009 at Turnberry in Scotland. Mickelson, along with Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington, were three of the favorites to win the British Open. Tiger Woods has won the British Open three times while Padraig Harrington is the defending champion. Mickelson's best finish in the British Open was third place in 2004.

Mickelson had a strong 2009 PGA season. He earned his first PGA Tour win of the year at the Northern Trust Open with a one stroke victory. He won his next tournament, a month later, at the 2009 WGC-CA Championship with another one stroke win. Mickelson would have a strong showing at the US Open, finishing tied for second place, only one shot behind the winner, Lucas Glover. This was Mickelson's fifth time he finished in second place in the US Open, who is still looking for his first US Open victory.

Mickelson received more bad news, a few days ago, when his mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer on July 6. She will have surgery at the same hospital that his wife was treated this week.

Missing the British Open seems like the right decision for Mickelson as family is more important than winning any major. Mickelson said that his family is his number one priority.