Ryder Cup star gets late spot in PGA Championship after Phil Mickelson confusion

Phil Mickelson will not be making his return to golf at the PGA Championship this month.

The six-time major winner has withdrawn from the event and been replaced by Max Homa.

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It follows a period of confusion on Tuesday after Mickelson was listed in the official 154-man field for the second major of the year.

In messages exchanged with Flushing It, the American said: “I wish I could. I can’t unfortunately.

“I’m hoping to play the rest of the year after that but I honestly don’t know.”

Just under an hour after those quotes emerged, the PGA Championship confirmed the news themselves with an official field update.

Mickelson has only played one LIV Golf event this season due to a family health matter.

He announced a hiatus from golf shortly before the Masters.

Speaking in early April, he said: “Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter.”

In unsurprising news, Tiger Woods was not included in the field, with the 15-time major winner also taking a hiatus from golf.

Woods is seeking treatment after being arrested and charged with DUI following yet another high-profile car crash.

Lifeline for Homa

Homa, who starred in the 2023 Ryder Cup, has suffered a dramatic fall from grace in recent years.

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The American has slipped to 118th in the Official World Golf Rankings and subsequently lost an automatic spot in the majors.

However, he finished T9 at the Masters in April and now gets an unlikely spot in the second major of the year at Aronimink.

Special invite for DJ

Meanwhile, two-time major winner Dustin Johnson received a special invite from the PGA of America.

The LIV Golf star’s eligibility for the PGA Championship ran out last year but he will get the chance to tee it up on May 14.

Speaking at LIV Golf Virginia on Tuesday, he said: “Very excited.

“I want to play in all the majors. I feel like my game is still good enough to compete with everyone and still can win.

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“The PGA was nice enough to give me an invitation. So yeah, I’m very, very happy and thankful for that.”

Scottie Scheffler heads to the PGA Championship as defending champion after three consecutive runner-up finishes.