Phil Mickelson Withdraws from BMW Championship

Phil Mickelson has yet to win a PGA Tour event in 2014. Unfortunately, that's how his season will end.

After a poor start to the BMW Championship, Lefty withdrew from the tournament. The Associated Press (via PGA.com) has more:

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Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the BMW Championship, just three days after saying it was the one FedEx Cup playoff event he wanted to play.

Mickelson shot 76 on Friday at Cherry Hills and was 14 shots out of the lead. He needed to finish fourth to have a chance to advance to the Tour Championship next week. Mickelson says without a chance to contend at East Lake, it was more important to be ready for the Ryder Cup.

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Mickelson talked about the decision, according to ESPN.com's Bob Harig: "My primary goal is to rest and prepare for the Ryder Cup. Without a chance to contend at the Tour Championship, the most important thing for me now is to prepare for the Ryder Cup."

Mike Groll/Associated Press

It's hard to imagine the Tour Championship without the 44-year-old. Suffice to say, it's been an uncharacteristic year for Mickelson.

While he finished second at the PGA Championship, he also missed the cut at the Masters and The Players Championship, finished 23rd at The Open Championship and 28th at the U.S. Open. He has just one top-10 finish and five top-15 finishes.

Justin Ray of the Golf Channel summed up what could only be described as a rough campaign:

It hasn't just been an uncharacteristic year for Mickelson. Consider the following, from Kelly Tilghman of the Golf Channel:

A new era, indeed.

Still, the United States will need him fresh and at his best for the Ryder Cup, so perhaps it will come as a relief to some that Mickelson decided to withdraw from the BMW Championship. He has plenty of experience at the Ryder Cup, with 11 wins, 17 losses and six halves (14 points).

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

That experience will once again be key for the Americans.

On the other hand, given Mickelson's play this season, it could be a rocky ride with him at the event. He has always been a streaky player, but this year he hasn't been able to get on track.