Phil Mickelson withdraws from BMW Championship to focus on Ryder Cup
'Lefty' pulls out of tournament to prepare for America's tilt at Gleneagles in Scotland
Phil Mickelson withdrew from the BMW Championship before the start of the third round at Cherry Hills Country Club, saying he wanted to rest for this month's Ryder Cup.
By pulling out of the penultimate FedEx Cup play-off event, world number 10 Mickelson ensured he would miss next week's finale in Atlanta for the first time in his career.
The American left-hander, a 42-times winner on the PGA Tour, had qualified for the elite Tour Championship every year since the lucrative four-event play-offs were launched in 2007.
Without a chance to contend at the Tour Championship, the most important thing for me now is to prepare for the Ryder Cup
"My primary goal is to rest and prepare for the Ryder Cup," Mickelson, 44, said.
"Without a chance to contend at the Tour Championship, the most important thing for me now is to prepare for the Ryder Cup."
The United States will take on holders Europe at the 40th Ryder Cup from September 26-28 at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Mickelson had faced an uphill task to qualify for the September 11-14 Tour Championship after opening with rounds of level-par 70 and 76 at Cherry Hills to languish 14 shots off the lead,