Mickelson glad to be back

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Phil Mickelson is finally back at the Colonial, two years after winning there and now with a chance to express appreciation to a pink-swathed community that embraced his family from afar a year ago.

Mickelson wasn’t at “Hogan’s Alley” to defend his title last May after finding out that his wife had breast cancer, yet they were in everyone’s thoughts. The tournament held a “Pink Out” during the third round to honor Amy Mickelson and raise awareness of the disease.

“They were without their defending champion, and yet they went out of their way to show one of the nicest gestures I’ve seen,” Mickelson said Wednesday. “So there is certainly an emotional loyalty on my part toward Colonial.”

When Mickelson won the Masters last month, his wife was behind the 18th green with their three children to share in the victory. That is the only time Amy Mickelson has been at a golf course since her diagnosis last year.

Amy Mickelson will not be at Colonial this week, when most players and tournament officials are expected to wear pink for another “Pink Out” on Saturday.

“Last week, Amy and I commiserated over our one-year anniversary and this event really helped us get through some tough times,” Mickelson said. “It meant a lot to us and gave us a huge emotional boost at a very difficult time for us. We will always remember that and be appreciative of that.”

Tags: sports, golf, mickelson