Mickelson says return of Tiger vital for golf

WORLD number two Phil Mickelson is keen for top-ranked rival Tiger Woods to return from his self-imposed absence.

Woods announced in December he was taking an indefinite leave from golf following revelations about the state of his marriage.

“The game of golf needs him to come back,’’ said Mickelson, making his seasonal debut in this week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.