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Mickelson to skip Illinois tourney over unspecified issues

Phil Mickelson withdrew from the BMW Championship on Tuesday, one day after threatening not to play over a conflict he had with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem over issues he wouldn't explain.

"This decision was not an easy one to make, and in no way is meant as disrespectful to the tour or `sending a message' to anyone," Mickelson said in a statement. "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 was playing a corporate outing with sponsor Bearing Point in the Chicago area and could not be immediately reached for comment.

Mickelson wasn't the only player to withdraw. Padraig Harrington also announced that he was taking this week off, citing fatigue. Also missing are Paul Goydos and Bernhard Langer, who has said he would not take part in the FedEx Cup, instead playing the Champions Tour and in Europe.
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