Phil Mickelson to launch 2014 campaign with return to Abu Dhabi Championship

American golfer Phil Mickelson will reportedly launch his campaign next year with a return to the Abu Dhabi Championship for the first time since 2011.

The British Open winner, who announced that he would be making unspecified cuts to his schedule in 2014, will join Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Luke Donald in a strong field at the 2.7 million-dollar European Tour event in the Gulf between January 16-19.

According to Sport24, five-time Major winner Mickelson said that it is a great opportunity for him to play in the Abu Dhabi event, adding that the golf course and facilities are outstanding and the quality of the field and the good weather make it a great place for him to start his season.

The report mentioned that Mickelson plans to play the week before each of the big four championships next year and had announced that he would compete in Houston before the US Masters, in Memphis ahead of the US Open, in Scotland before the British Open and in Akron ahead of the US PGA Championship.