Tour News

Injury forces Mickelson out of the Valero Texas Open

Published

12 years ago

Mar 29, 2014

Another high-profile player has been bitten by the injury bug. After feeling the proverbial twinge early in his round, Phil Mickelson labored through 10 holes at the Valero Texas Open Saturday before calling it quits.

At issue: a strained muscle in the golfer’s side.

The left-hander’s back has been problem for him this season, and it’s not clear initially how this injury relates to the back injury that prompted him to withdraw during the Farmers Insurance Open at the beginning of the year. What is clear, however, is that the Masters is just two weeks away and the golfer would prefer not to be dealing with something so pesky and fickle as a muscle strain.

The golfer is slated to tee it up next week at the Shell Houston Open, as he traditionally does prior to the Masters. Whether he will go ahead with this plan is unclear. In a statement after his withdrawal, Mickelson said:

“I pulled a muscle on my downswing trying to hit it hard on the second hole. It just killed and it wouldn’t subside for 10 or 12 seconds. I’m going back to San Diego (for) a couple of days and have a doctor look at it, but there’s really not much you can do for a pulled muscle. I hope I’ll be OK to play the Shell in Houston, but I just don’t know.”

Mickelson was 1-over when he threw in the towel Saturday. He now joins Tiger Woods on the unofficial “Masters Injury Report,” looking questionable at the moment. Certainly, it’s too soon to speculate about whether Mickelson will be able to give it a go in two weeks. The golfer is reportedly flying home to San Diego for evaluation and treatment.

Hopefully, golf fans still have an appetite for stories related to Tour pros’ anatomies, as we’re sure to hear much about Mickelson’s side and Woods’ back in the coming week.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

7 Comments

TomT

Mar 30, 2015 at 3:25 pm

If Phil dropped out Saturday, who was the imposter playing under his name Sunday?

Reply Report comment
joro

Mar 31, 2014 at 11:49 am

He needs to slow it down, see Swing like Snead. Hard downswing causes problems and he won’t slow it down, so live with it.

Reply Report comment
Bradley

Mar 30, 2014 at 1:18 pm

At least it’s not “allergies” followed by some afternoon bromance.

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Jonathan

Mar 29, 2014 at 8:49 pm

He needs a chiropractor, not a doctor. He’ll go see that doctor in San Diego and get the standard treatment (pain meds and told to rest) meanwhile he most likely has poor vertebrae / pelvic alignment issues going on. Until he addresses the root cause, he’s just going to continue to have good and bad days with the back. It also would help if he lost 10lbs too.

Reply Report comment
- leftright
  
  Mar 31, 2014 at 3:56 pm
  
  The oriental massage would do wonders for not only his back.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Pat M
  
  Mar 28, 2015 at 6:30 pm
  
  My friend found better luck with an osteopath versus a chiro. He also cannot swing out of his shoes anymore and may need to ease up a little. I hope he is at The Masters and is feeling well.
  
  Reply Report comment
Curt

Mar 29, 2014 at 7:41 pm

Getting old is a __tch!

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.