AP, San Diego
Phil Mickelson withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open on Friday night because of muscle pain in his back.
Mickelson shot a 1-over 73 on the South Course at Torrey Pines in the second round, leaving him eight strokes behind leader Jordan Spieth. Mickelson said after the round that he feared getting into bad habits by altering his swing to keep his back from hurting. This is hometown tournament and he said he wanted to keep playing.
His management company released a statement late Friday evening that Mickelson had decided to withdraw. Mickelson said he would talk to doctors to figure out the best course of action.
Mickelson is to defend his title next week in the Phoenix Open.
“I love this tournament and I want to play here. I love playing in San Diego and this is a place where I grew up playing, so I really want to play,” Mickelson said after his round. “And part of me also says that I’m getting in bad habits.
