Phil Mickelson has been a notoriously poor traveller over the years, especially when it comes to taking part in tournaments in Asia.
While his contemporaries such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and others have been happy to accommodate Asia when their schedules permit, Mickelson has chosen to stay in the United States with his family.
That is, until now, according to lefty himself. Scheduled to take part in the Asian Tour’s Singapore Open next month, Mickelson said it could be the start of a new lifestyle for the 37-year-old world number two.
Not only is he keen to travel more often to Asia, but he feels other Americans are likely to do the same.
In an interview with news agency AFP, he said:
“I understand why not many Americans have come to Asia in the past but I would like to say that I expect that to change in the future. The USPGA Tour schedule has been shortened and that gives us players three months where we can now compete more internationally.â€
Mickelson also hopes that his children, who are now more grown up, are old enough to appreciate different cultures.
In his first foray into Asia, Mickelson will take on the likes of defending champion Adam Scott and Els in the $4 million Singapore Open, which is often likened to Asia’s major.
After that he heads off to China for the $5 million HSBC Champions tournament. One player missing from these tournaments is Tiger, who, like Mickelson several years ago, has a baby to help look after.
