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Respiratory illness gets Mickelson off to shaky start

Phil Mickelson's start to this year's golf season was in doubt on Monday when his doctor directed him to stay in bed for two days for a respiratory problem.

Mickelson postponed a press conference yesterday at the Buick Invitational, and his management company said his goal was to play in the pro-am today so that he could play in the tournament.

Mickelson has suffered from heavy congestion, shortness of breath and fatigue since October.

A Gaylord Sports spokesman said it was not clear whether his condition was caused by working in the smoky debris on his property in San Diego County following wildfires last autumn, or by an illness he developed in Singapore in November. Mickelson won in China the following week, but his agency said he has not felt his best since then.

His condition worsened on Monday, and doctors advised rest.

The US PGA Tour has a policy that anyone in the tournament must compete in the pro-am, although there are provisions for health problems, and Mickelson was allowed to skip a pro-am last year when weather delayed his flight to Dallas, Texas.

Mickelson is a three-time winner of the Buick Invitational, although he has not won at Torrey Pines since 2001.
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