Mickelson plans to compete in US Open

DUBLIN, Ohio – Phil Mickelson plans a brief return to the PGA Tour in time for the US Open.

The world’s No. 2 player suspended his schedule indefinitely upon announcing two weeks ago that his wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Recent tests have given them hope the cancer has been caught early, with more tests over the next month.

Mickelson intends to return next week at the St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, then play the following week in the US Open at Bethpage Black, according to a person informed of the plans.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Mickelson had not announced his decision.

“We heard there was a possibility he would play,” St. Jude Championship spokesman Phil Cannon. “That would be great.”

Mickelson is a sentimental favorite at every US Open, where at age 38 he already has tied the record for most runner-up finishes with four. He is especially popular in New York, and his presence at Bethpage Black figured to bring an emotional and raucous response.

He has never finished worse than fourth in his four US Opens held in New York.

Mickelson first thought surgery for his 37-year-old wife could happen as early as a few weeks since the announcement, but that has been pushed back for another month.

Her treatment and recovery will dictate whether he plays in the British Open, or how much he plays at all the rest of the summer. Mickelson already has won twice this year and is No. 5 in the FedEx Cup standings.(AP)