Mickelson headlines feeble Farmers field

SAN DIEGO, California (AFP) - Phil Mickelson begins his US PGA Tour season next week at the San Diego-area Torrey Pines Golf Course.

The 5.3 million dollar event will be the American's first tournament after a 10 week break.

Mickelson is from the San Diego-area and he has won the event three times since 2001.

The tournament earlier this week found a title sponsor and is now calling itself the Farmers Insurance Open.

Mickelson will headline a weak field as he is the lone player ranked in the top 10 in the world competing. Aussie Robert Allenby and South Africa's Ernie Els make it just three out of the world's top 20.

Tiger Woods is skipping the event for the second-consecutive year. The world number one is taking an indefinite break from the sport while he tries to save his marriage after admitting to numerous affairs with other women.