Phil Mickelson 'all fixed up' after sports hernia surgery in October

One of the United States' Ryder Cup heroes is recovering nicely from a recent procedure.

In a surprise revelation this week, five-time major winner Phil Mickelson underwent sports hernia surgery after the Safeway Open in October, an unannounced procedure that was unveiled by Golf Digest's Tim Rosaforte this week.

"It wasn't an outie belly button per se, it just looked like it," Mickelson told Golf Digest. "It was a walnut-sized hernia behind my belly button. It was no big deal, nor did it affect me when I played. I pushed it back in every minute or so. I couldn't work out as intensely as I wanted to. That's all. It didn't hurt or affect me. It was just annoying."

He also noted that he's "all fixed up."

Mickelson had previously gone on about the quality of his health at the age of 46. It is a theme he has put forth all year.

"The fact is that, from 10 years ago when I was playing my best golf, I'm 25 pounds lighter," said Mickelson this summer. "I'm in better shape, I'm physically stronger than I was. I feel better and ... now that my swing is back on plane, I'm starting to hit some shots like I did ten years ago and starting to play some of my best golf again. So I don't see why there's any reason why I can't continue that not just this week but for years. That's kind of what the game plan is."

Mickelson's belly button should be fine for 2017 as he tries to continue his somewhat surprising assault on the record books even as he hurtles towards age 50 and the PGA Tour Champions.

We will not see Mickelson on the golf course for the rest of 2016.

More games: friv

Phil Mickelson commits to play in Valero Texas Open

Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson has committed to play in the 2016 Valero Texas Open golf tournament, April 21-24, at the AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio.

Mickelson, winner of 42 PGA Tour titles and the 19th-ranked player in the world, will be making his third consecutive appearance in the tournament. He tied for 30th a year ago.

Nicknamed “Lefty,” the five-time major champion lends additional star power to a field that also includes defending champion Jimmy Walker of Boerne, Zach Johnson, Dustin Johnson, San Antonio native Patrick Reed and Billy Horschel.

Power rankings: The Honda Classic

The PGA Tour kicks off its Florida Swing this week with The Honda Classic. For a number of players, this is a home game, as they call the Palm Beach and Jupiter areas home, including Rory McIlroy, who headlines the field.

Padraig Harrington is defending champion in the unpredictable event, beating Daniel Berger in a Monday playoff last year. 

PGA National's Champion Course almost always produces a dramatic finish, with the Bear Trap, comprising hole Nos. 15-17, typically playing a heavy hand in deciding the winner.

Here are our top five players for this week:

1.  Rickie Fowler -- Fowler almost won in Phoenix. He won in Abu Dhabi. He's hot. Pick him for that and his two top-15s here in the last five years.

2. Rory McIlroy -- A Sunday dud at Riviera shouldn't be that discouraging. McIlroy is playing well anywhere right now, just hasn't closed the deal on a win in 2016. Won here in 2012, holding off Tiger Woods.

3. Hideki Matsuyama -- The Phoenix winner was pretty solid at Riviera, T-11. Nothing fancy here in his Honda record, but he's such a good ballstriker.

4. Adam Scott -- Joint runner-up at Riviera, which is yet another such finish for Scott this season. The putter can be a liability, but he's clearly committed to improving and showed it at Riviera.

5. Phil Mickelson -- Mickelson has showed signs that he's ready to win. He came up short at Pebble and looked great in the Desert. Not a splendid record here but playing well.