THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – The Houston Open will be the first PGA tournament in the United States to host spectators, which could see Phil Mickelson putting the finishing touches on his preparation for the Masters elsewhere.
Usually, Mickelson is still active the week before the Augusta tournament and he planned to be in Houston. The tournament announced last week that 2,000 tickets per day would go on sale starting Wednesday.
The tournament will take place November 5-8, at Memorial Park. The same week, the Champions Tour held the Charles Schwab Cup in Phoenix. Mickelson has won both of his tournaments so far on the 50+ circuit.
“I think they’ll do a great job welcoming 2,000 people to Houston,” Mickelson said Wednesday. However, personally, I don’t like the risk that this represents a week before the Masters Tournament. (…) It makes me question my participation. “
He added that if the Charles Schwab Cup, a 54-hole tournament, has a limited number of spectators, he will likely go to Houston.
“If Phoenix is played behind closed doors, I’ll probably be there, to be frank. “
Houston Open officials have specified that spectators should wear their masks at all times at Memorial Park, except when eating and drinking. They still haven’t released the official rules for ticket holders.
Mickelson reported on how well the PGA has done since resuming operations. He is confident that the Houston tournament will be played in safe conditions.
“Because I haven’t experienced it before, because this is the first tournament to welcome spectators, I’m hesitant and I don’t want to take risks for nothing,” explained Mickelson.
What worries him the most, especially with the tests he will undergo before the Masters Tournament, are the false positives.
“This is the scariest part, because I know I was able to play and still be safe. That those around me have taken all the necessary precautions to keep us safe. This is why false positives worry me the most. “
Dustin Johnson, who has withdrawn from the last two PGA tournaments after testing positive for coronavirus, is due to return to competition in Houston. After isolating himself for 10 days, Johnson doesn’t have to have another test for three months.
Johnson last week became the 12th PGA player to test positive. Mickelson reported that the players, caddies and all essential staff who have to undergo weekly testing have been very responsible.
Brooks Koepka has also confirmed his participation in Houston, while Tiger Woods indicated on Tuesday that he had not yet made his decision. Woods never played the week before the Augusta tournament in his career.
In addition, the USGA announced that the United States Women’s Open will be played behind closed doors at the Champions club in Houston. The tournament takes place a month after the Houston Open.
“After consultations with health authorities, we decided that holding the Women’s Open behind closed doors was the best option to hold the tournament in a safe manner for everyone involved,” said John Bodenhamer, the Championships Director. American body.
