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Phil Mickelson will not play in this year's U.S. Open.
The one major that has eluded Phil Mickelson during his storied career is the U.S. Open and it is going to have to wait at least one more year.During The Memorial golf tournament this past weekend, Mickelson announced that he would skip this year' U.S. Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin because he is going to instead attend his daughter's high school graduation.
"As I look back on life, this is a moment I'll always cherish and be glad I was present," Mickelson said.
According to the New York Times, the ceremony is to be held in California on Thursday, June 15, the first day of the U.S. Open.
"So there's just really no way to make it, no matter what the tee time is," Mickelson said.
According to Golf.com, Mickelson's daughter, Amanda, will also be giving a speech during the ceremony.
Skipping any tournament for a graduation would be notable. But this one is especially eyebrow-raising as the U.S. Open is Mickelson's Holy Grail.
Mickelson has won five majors in his career, but he has never won the U.S. Open, the one tournament keeping him from the career Grand Slam. The tournament has also been the site of some of his toughest heartbreaks as he has finished second a U.S. Open-record six times.
One of those runner-up finishes came in 1999, when Mickelson finished second to Payne Stewart. Mickelson made headlines then by saying he would leave the tournament if his wife went into labor. Amanda was born the day after the tournament.
According to Mickelson, he has already informed the United States Golf Association of his decision. However, Mickelson is yet to officially take his name out in case weather or another unforeseen circumstance were to alter when the graduation was being held.
The ceremony is also scheduled to be held on Mickelson's 47th birthday.