Mickelson to skip Match Play Championship

PEBBLE BEACH, California (AP) — Phil Mickelson will miss this month's Match Play Championship, skipping the event for the third time in the past four years.

Mickelson said Thursday his three children are off school the week of the Match Play Championship so he will be going on a family holiday. He also missed in 2010 and 2012.

The tournament is Feb. 20-24 just north of Tucson, Arizona.

Mickelson has made it to the quarterfinals of the Match Play only once in 11 appearances, in 2004 at La Costa. He says he loves the tournament and Tucson, where he won his first PGA Tour event.

That means the 65th player in the world ranking after this week will be eligible to play.