After undergoing two hernia surgeries this offseason, Mickelson will make his 2017 debut at this week’s CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta, Calif., according to Golf Channel reporter George Savaricas.
Mickelson, who is coming off a resurgent 2016 season with six top-5 finishes, had the initial surgery Oct. 19 to remove a walnut-sized hernia behind his belly button. Despite saying afterward that he was “all fixed up,” he needed another procedure in December, putting his early-season schedule in doubt.
There was extra incentive for Mickelson to play this week, as this is the first year that he’s serving as the tournament ambassador of the old Bob Hope Classic, replacing former President Bill Clinton.