Phil Mickelson Injury: Updates on Golfer's Oblique and Return

Bad news struck the golf world on Saturday. Phil Mickelson, the world's No. 5-ranked player, withdrew from the Valero Texas Open with a pulled muscle, according to a tweet from PGA Tour Media:

Rotoworld.com confirmed that it was a pulled oblique that plagued the man affectionately known as "Lefty."

The severity of the injury is not yet known; however, with the Masters fast approaching, his playing status will be questionable going forward. It can be speculated that Mickleson will do everything in his power to get himself healthy before the season's first major.

Will Gray of the Golf Channel provided more info: 

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Mickelson was 1 over for the round and 4 over for the week when he called it quits. Television coverage showed Mickelson being carted off the course at TPC San Antonio and stated that the injury was a pulled oblique muscle.

Having opened with a 77, the 43-year-old rallied to make the cut on the number after getting up and down from the water hazard on No. 18. After closing out his second round, Mickelson gave no indication that an injury was on the horizon.

"My speed is back, my back feels great, my body feels great and I'm able to hit the ball hard again," Mickelson told reporters.

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Mickelson has been struggling during his 2014 season. He has already missed three cuts and has finished no better than tied for 16th at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Gray tweeted how difficult it's been for the world's top players so far this year:

Mickelson is now 43 years of age which could come as a severe detriment to his ability to recover quickly.