Mickelson skipping British

“As a professional golfer, competing in major championships and winning them is my main objective,’’ Mickelson said on his website. “But I’ve always said family is my No. 1 priority. For that reason, I won’t be playing the British Open at Turnberry next week.’’

He will be replaced in the field by Ben Crane. The alternate list is based on this week’s world ranking of players who were not already eligible. Steve Marino becomes the first alternate.

Mickelson did not reveal much about his wife’s surgery, although the fact they waited until after the US Open is regarded as a good sign that it was caught early. His mother was to have surgery yesterday in Houston.

“It’s a trying time for us as we await more test results, but we have excellent medical attention and care,’’ Mickelson said. “We’ve received wonderful support from so many people, many of whom have gone through the same battle, and we’re optimistic, as always.’’

A three-time major champion, Mickelson has competed in every major since the 1994 US Open, after missing the Masters that year when he broke his leg in a skiing accident. Next on the list is Vijay Singh, who will be playing in his 61st straight major. Jack Nicklaus holds the record of 146 straight majors from 1962 to 1998.

PGA - Play was rained out at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., with the second round rescheduled for today and the final two rounds slated for tomorrow.

Scheduled to start at 7 a.m., tournament officials were hoping to begin play at 4 p.m. after several delays. They called off the second round entirely about 20 minutes before the first groups were scheduled to tee off.

Two-time US Open champion Lee Janzen and Darron Stiles are tied for the lead after shooting 7-under-par 64s Thursday. J.J. Henry (6 under) and Tim Petrovic (5 under), both from Connecticut, are among seven players two shots off the lead.

Champions - Andy Bean and Nick Price each shot a 7-under 65 and are tied for the lead after the first round of the Champions Tour’s 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn.

Bean, who has two second-place finishes this year, was 5 under through seven and birdied three of his last four holes. Price shot a 30 on the back nine, including four straight birdies.

European PGA - Retief Goosen fired an 8-under 63 at Loch Lomond for a two-shot lead in the Scottish Open in Luss. Adam Scott (67 -133) will be in the final pairing today.