FanNation | Truth&Rumors | Mickelson won't play Mercedes

In China Phil Mickelson squandered a five-shot lead during the final round of the HSBC Champions. Then, trailing by one, he hit a ball in the water on the 72nd hole. Yet he still managed to worm his way into a playoff with Ross Fisher and Lee Westwood. "It's a funny game, golf," Mickelson said after the China playoff and moments before boarding a plane back to the States that signaled the beginning a two and a half month layoff from competitive golf. "We say that a lot." What Mickelson's plan also revealed, indirectly, was he will not be playing in the Mercedes-Benz Championship in early January. As recently as last week, Mercedes-Benz officials were still holding out hope for a Mickelson appearance at Kapalua even though he hasn't played there since 2001.

Golf Channel