Phil Mickelson revealed a new medical ailment on Friday after opening the 2017 Dell Technologies Championship with a 2-under 69, saying that it had been hampering him for the last several years.
Mickelson, who revealed in 2010 that he had been facing problems related to psoriatic arthritis, declined to specify the new condition.
“After the PGA [Championship], I went and addressed it and met with the doctor that helped me get through some of the arthritis conditions,” Mickelson said Friday. “He seemed to have found something. This is the best energy I've had throughout the round and the best focus.”
Mickelson said the condition had most affected his mental focus and energy, particularly bad dating back to March and April. However, on Friday, he was able to focus in particular on short-game shots and deliver.
“It just wasn't getting better. It was getting worse,” said Mickelson, who added that the condition had become more difficult the last six or seven months. “This was something I had never dealt with before, so I felt like it might be a little bit more than just trying to will it away.”
Mickelson needs to play well this week and in two weeks at the BMW Championship in order to qualify for the Tour Championship for the eighth time in 11 FedEx Cup seasons.
