Phil Mickelson always has been a gambler.
So it should come as little surprise that Mickelson will, indeed, play in the Shell Houston Open this week to get ready for the Masters one week from Thursday.
"I feel that to give myself the best chance at the Masters I have to play in Houston," Mickelson said on philmickelson.com. "If I thought I would injure myself further I would have withdrawn from the tournament, but the last few days have been good."
Speculation had risen that Mickelson's status for the Masters was in doubt because he had withdrawn from the Pro Am event in advance of the Shell Houston Open, which takes place from Thursday through Sunday.
Conflicting reports abound on Mickelson after he withdrew from the Valero Texas Open on Saturday. It was initially reported that he had hurt his oblique muscle, but another report later said he hurt his back during a swing at the Texas Open.
The report calling Mickelson's injury back-related also stated that he did not play any practice rounds at Augusta National this week.
Philmickelson.com, however, reported that it was Mickelson oblique that is the problem and he did participate in light practice sessions Monday and Tuesday at Augusta National.
"I played nine holes today at Augusta and I felt pretty good," Phil said to his website as he boarded his flight to Houston Wednesday afternoon. "I was able to swing fine. It just felt sore as opposed to hurting."
He added that his withdrawal from the Pro Am had nothing to do with his injury.
"Months ago the tournament asked me to do a pro-am dinner Thursday night instead of playing the pro-am Wednesday," Phil said, "and I'm thankful for that. It gives me more time to spend with more of their sponsors and another day at Augusta."
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