Mickelson not yet certain of European Tour commitment

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

ATLANTA (Reuters) - World number two Phil Mickelson is widely expected to join the European Tour next year but said on Friday he was not yet sure if he would play in enough events in 2009 to secure his card.

The American has frequently expressed his desire to compete in Europe on a more regular basis and would need to appear in a minimum of 11 events to maintain his status.

"I'm not sure yet," left-hander Mickelson told reporters after carding a two-under-par 68 in the second of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club.

"You're asking if I'm going to join the European Tour? I may play that many events if you count the four majors and the three World Golf Championship (WGC) events. I may play an additional four or five.

"I'm not sure exactly how many. I'm not sure on my status as far as becoming a European Tour member but I'm certainly considering it."

In the build-up to the Scottish Open in July, Mickelson said he wanted to appear in more European Tour co-sanctioned events while competing mainly on the U.S. PGA Tour.

"With my kids now being older, last year I went to Singapore and China and brought them with me and we were able to use that as an educational couple of weeks," he added.

"With our (PGA Tour) season ending earlier, it gives me three months in the off-season to isolate a couple of weeks when I can go play and do that, and I intend to. I would like to play more on an international level. I'd like to play more in Europe."

DUBAI FINALE

If Mickelson plays just four European Tour events in addition to the four majors and three WGC events, he will qualify for the 2009 Race to Dubai finale which offers a first prize of $1.6 million.

Several international players who compete mainly on the PGA Tour have said they plan to compete in at least 11 European Tour events next year, among them Masters champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa.

"I've got a tournament here in China at the end of the year and the South African Open so I'm already at nine (events)," Immelman said at the Tour Championship. "And then I'm going to be playing in Abu Dhabi as well.

"I'd only really need one more for the rest of the season to make up my 11, so I will be keeping my card over there."

With the increased financial allure of the European Tour events in the United Arab Emirates, Immelman expects other American players to follow suit.

"I do feel like we're going to see a few more Americans turn into more of a global-style of player," he said. "I definitely think there is that possibility.