Mickelson's plea to Euro duo

World number four ready for busy period in preparations for Augusta

Last updated: 4th February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Mickelson's plea to Euro duo

Mickelson: Busy shedule

We need guys like Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garca to play more over here in the States and help drive the PGA Tour and help drive PGA Tour revenue and interest in the game as a whole

Phil Mickelson
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Phil Mickelson believes the PGA Tour would benefit greatly if Europe's top two played more often on American soil.

The world number four feels appearances from Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia would give the sport a major boost during the financial crisis.

Mickelson himself is staying at home for the upcoming months, starting with this week's Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines.

The left-handed did participate in Shanghai and Singapore at the end of last year but decided not to become involved in Europe's "Race To Dubai".

"We need guys like Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garca to play more over here in the States and help drive the PGA Tour and help drive PGA Tour revenue and interest in the game as a whole," he said.

Schedule

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem called on players in December to try to add more events to their schedule to boost hopes of keeping sponsors.

Mickelson is due to play for the next five weeks in a row but is not willing to look past The Masters when it come to altering his plans.

"I've not looked at my schedule - certainly the first few months haven't changed," added Mickelson. "I'm playing five in a row. I don't know how I could really increase it any more.

"I haven't looked or addressed my schedule from here on out past The Masters, so everything that I have done to this point has been with The Masters in mind.

"I will probably keep the attention focused on the four majors as opposed to increasing sponsor relations, but I'm certainly not opposed to adding here or there."