Mickelson likely to skip U.S. Open to attend daughter's graduation

Unless there's a weather delay Thursday at Erin Hills, Phil Mickelson won't be in Wisconsin to try to win the only major he has yet to claim: the U.S. Open.

Mickelson was said to have withdrawn from the tournament's 117th edition prior to Saturday's third round of the Memorial Tournament so he can attend his daughter Amanda's high school graduation. However, after his third-round 72 at Muirfield Village, Mickelson said he'll waitcloser to first day of competition to make if official.

"I wanted to make sure they (USGA) had enough notice to accommodate it,'' the five-time major champion told ESPN. "So that's why I'm saying something today. But it doesn't look good for me playing. But I'm really excited about this moment in our family's life.''

Under USGA regulations, players are allowed to wait until just before their tee time on the first day of competition to officially withdraw from the tournament.

It isn't the first time the 46-year-old faced a dilemma at the U.S. Open. Back in 1999, at Pinehurst, Mickelson wore a pager during the championship while his wife, Amy, was due with the couple's first child.

He finished runner-up to Payne Stewart that year - one of six second-place results at the U.S. Open in his career. Amanda was born the next day.