SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- One day after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship and taking the lead in the FedExCup points standings, Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from this week's BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, Ill.
"This decision was not an easy one to make," said Mickelson, "and in no way is meant as disrespectful to the TOUR or 'sending a message' to anyone. I've talked for weeks about needing to find a balance between my game, my business affairs and my family, and now is the time for me to take some time off."
Mickelson has played four events in the last 30 days and has steadily improved his performance on his way back from a debilitating mid-season wrist injury. Just prior to the Deutsche Bank win, he shared seventh place at The Barclays. Only the next four players on the FedExCup points list -- Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods, K.J. Choi and Rory Sabbatini -- can possibly overtake Mickelson this week.
"I'm really looking forward to returning to THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola next week in Atlanta with the momentum I've been building and, hopefully, winning the first FedExCup," said Mickelson.
"While we are disappointed that Phil will not be playing the BMW Championship, we have - for the third consecutive week - a fantastic field, and we are looking forward to another exciting chapter in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup," said Ty Votaw, Executive Vice President of Communications and International Affairs. "One of the many storylines our fans will be following this week will be who will leave Chicago with the FedExCup points lead."
