Mickelson headlines strong field for St. Jude Classic

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Phil Mickelson made it official on Friday. He has committed to play in the St. Jude Classic next week.

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The game's No. 2 player had announced he was taking an indefinite break from the PGA TOUR after his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly three weeks ago. Original reports indicated surgery would be performed within two weeks.

Doctors have since determined that her cancer was caught early. According to published reports, treatment probably won't begin until late June so Mickelson decided to play in the St. Jude Classic for the first time since missing the cut in 2001 as well as the U.S. Open the following week.

Mickelson, who missed the HP Byron Nelson Championship and his title defense at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial during his hiatus from the TOUR, finished second to Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in 2002. He is a huge fan favorite in New York, and Amy's recent diagnosis has engendered even more support for the family.

Justin Leonard will defend his title at TPC Southwind. The St. Jude Classic field also includes Henrik Stenson, who won THE PLAYERS Championship last month, Camilo Villegas, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and John Daly.