Past champion Mickelson commits to THE PLAYERS Championship

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Phil Mickelson shakes hands with Sean O'Hair after prevailing at the Stadium Course in 2007.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Past champion and fan favorite Phil Mickelson has committed to the field for THE PLAYERS Championship, tournament officials announced. The 2007 PLAYERS champion will be making his eighth-consecutive appearance at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and the 18th of his career. The 2011 installment of THE PLAYERS returns to the First Coast of Florida, May 9-15.

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"We're thrilled to receive Phil Mickelson's commitment to compete in THE PLAYERS 2011 and look forward to welcoming one of our past champions back to Ponte Vedra Beach," said Matt Rapp, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS. "Phil is one of the elite players in today's game, and I know fans throughout Northeast Florida are excited to again have the opportunity to watch him compete against the best players in the world at TPC Sawgrass."

Mickelson won THE PLAYERS in 2007, the first year the event was contested in May, carding rounds of 67-72-69-69 for a 72-hole total of 11-under-par, good for a two-shot victory over 2008 PLAYERS champion Sergio Garcia. In addition to his victory in 2007, Mickelson produced top 10s in 1998 (T8) and 2004 (T3). He finished T17 in 2010.

Currently ranked second in the season-long FedExCup points standings and No. 4 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Mickelson collected the 39th victory of his PGA TOUR career in dramatic fashion two weeks ago at the Shell Houston Open. He carded rounds of 63-65 to play the weekend in 16-under-par and win by three strokes over Chris Kirk and Scott Verplank. Mickelson also finished runner up to Bubba Watson earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He finished T27 last week at the Masters Tournament.

Tickets to THE PLAYERS Championship 2011 are on sale at First Coast Publix Super Markets locations, at TPC Sawgrass, online at www.PGATOUR.COM/theplayersand via telephone by calling Ticketmaster at (888) 401-8000. In addition to THE PLAYERS official web site, fans can keep up to date on everything going on with THE PLAYERS Championship at the new facebook page.