Lefty eager for Tiger return

Woods (L) and Mickelson

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Phil Mickelson feels world golf has been badly affected by Tiger Woods' extended absence through injury.

The world number one has been out of action since his extraordinary triumph at the US Open last June - achieved despite cruciate knee ligament damage and a double stress-fracture of his left tibia.

Woods has undergone knee ligament surgery to correct the problem and is still some way from a comeback as he continues his rehabilitation.

Although his absence has given the likes of Mickelson and Sergio Garcia the chance to close the gap on Woods at the top of the world rankings, Mickelson is looking forward to welcoming the world's best back to game, insisting his presence does much to benefit professionals all around the globe.

"The reason why we all want Tiger back is because he drives the game of golf," Mickelson stated.

"He drives television ratings, the sponsors need him in their events and the fans turn out to see him, so we need him back as soon as possible.

"He does so much for us on a national level in the United States and on an international level throughout the world, and we all miss him and want him back soon."

Mickelson went on to reiterate his intention to expand his international schedule, but again confirmed that he will not be joining the European Tour's 'Race to Dubai' in 2009.

The American - who is now number three in the world having been overtaken by Sergio Garcia last week following the Spaniard's triumph at the HSBC Champions event - insists the new-look European schedule does not fit his plans for the coming season.

However, Mickelson revealed he had been left highly impressed by his experience of the European Tour and could well sign up in the next year or two.

"I have thought about it (European Tour membership) but I did not take it up for '09," he stated.

"If I did, it would have been before last week's event (the HSBC Champions).

"It wasn't quite right for me time-wise but I have still made a commitment to play more golf internationally and I do believe that it's very possible that, in the near future, it will be in my plans.

Natural fit

"As I play more throughout the world it would be a natural fit to be a part of the Race to Dubai.

"I think that the European Tour is making great strides in their individual events.

"There is a high quality to the events as well as the Tour as a whole. They've been able to maintain a number of their top players and have a great product to present.

"It would be an honour for me to be a part of it. It just didn't work out for me this year but I wouldn't rule it out for the near future.

"I haven't set a time schedule. I thought that I might do it for '09 but it's just the way that some little things worked out, it wasn't quite right yet.

"But again, I'm not going to commit to doing it in 2010 because I don't know what's going to happen over the next 14 months.

"But if a couple of things happen here or there, it would help to make it all fit."

Played down

Mickelson went on to play down the importance of losing his number two ranking to Garcia and insisted his focus was merely on his own game and ensuring he produces his best whenever and wherever he competes - starting at the star-studded Barclays Singapore Open this week.

"It's not really something that I really think about," he continued. "What I'm more concerned about is playing well here. Last year I came here to Singapore with high expectations because I was playing well and wanted to perform well at this event.

"The world rankings will fluctuate and that's not something I've spent much time thinking about. I think that if I play well, the world ranking, the money list and all those other things will take care of itself."