Reluctant Mickelson pulls out of Memphis

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - World number two Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from this week's St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee after a specialist in San Diego advised him to get a cortisone shot for a lingering wrist injury.

The American left-hander, who pulled out of last week's Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio after 11 holes in the opening round, had been eager to use the Memphis event as a final tune-up for next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont.

"The timing isn't the best because I really wanted to play at Memphis," Mickelson said in a statement on Tuesday.

"But the good news is there is no break or fracture. I have inflammation that can be relieved and I'm looking forward to playing the Open at 100 percent physically."

Mickelson, who prefers to play competitively for at least the week before majors, has had therapy on his left wrist for the last three days and has been assured by his specialist he will be able to compete pain-free at Oakmont.

Despite his Memphis withdrawal, the St. Jude Championship boasts a strong entry that includes six players in the world's top 12.

Fourth-ranked Adam Scott heads the field, followed by Vijay Singh (sixth), U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (eighth), Padraig Harrington (10th), Retief Goosen (11th) and Sergio Garcia (12th).

Another player worth monitoring is twice champion David Toms, who has finished no worse than tied for 10th in his last five appearances in Memphis.

Winner in 2003 and 2004, he came close to completing a hat-trick of titles in 2005 before losing out to fellow American Justin Leonard by a shot.

"What I do feel is that I have support here," Toms, 40, told reporters as he prepared for the tournament.

"When I am playing well and get in contention here, people are behind me. I get excited to play here and I think all that factors in to having successes."

The St. Jude Championship, the 24th event on the 2007 PGA Tour, starts on Thursday.

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles)