Mickelson Opts Out of Grand Slam of Golf; Harrington Returns


British Open champion Phil Mickelson has cited an "end-of-the-season" scheduling conflict and won't play in the 2013 PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

The 31st version of the event, which is open only to the year's major winners, takes place October 14-16 at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda.

Mickelson's place will be taken by Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who in 2012 as a replacement for PGA champion Rory McIlroy, won the event. Harrington, a three-time major winner and four-time participant in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, also finished as the runner-up in 2007 and '08.

As the defending champion, Harrington was the first alternate and received the initial invitation if a current major champion is unable to compete.

The other three players will be reigning major winners Adam Scott (Masters), Justin Rose (U.S. Open) and recently crowned PGA champion Jason Dufner.

Fourteen-time major champion Tiger Woods is the all-time winner of the elite-field tournament, with seven victories.

For more information about the event, visit www.pgagrandslamofgolf.com.