Mickelson to start next year in the Middle East

[November 05, 2013]  ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Phil Mickelson is starting his 2014 schedule in the desert - not California, but Abu Dhabi.

Organizers said Tuesday that Mickelson will play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Jan. 16-19, the same week as the Humana Challenge. Mickelson is expected to make his first PGA Tour appearance of 2014 a week later at Torrey Pines, not far from where he lives.

It will be the first time since 2011 that Mickelson plays in Abu Dhabi. Rory McIlroy and U.S. Open champion Justin Rose also are playing the event.

Abu Dhabi is the first of three straight Europe Tour events in the United Arab Emirates. Tiger Woods has played Abu Dhabi the last two years. This time, he is going to Dubai to help celebrate its 25th anniversary.

[Associated Press]

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