Phil Mickelson's hopes of victory at the WGC-CA Championship today were dealt a blow when it emerged he had been treated overnight for heat exhaustion.
Mickelson, chasing a second title of the year following his Northern Trust Open win at Riviera Country Club last month, had finished the third round at Doral as a four-shot joint-leader with fellow American Nick Watney but later began to feel ill, his spokesman said.
"Phil Mickelson was treated last night in a Doral urgent care centre for what the attending physician called 'heat exhaustion and mild dehydration'," TR Reinman said in a statement issued today. "At 9pm he was admitted to Baptist Medical Plaza at Doral where he received two bags of IV solution."
Reinman added that Mickelson had been lethargic following his third round yesterday and his condition had deteriorated rapidly. No indication was given as to whether Mickelson would withdraw from the event. He was scheduled to tee off with Watney at 2.45pm local time (6.45pm UK time).
The Americans pair had been set for another battle at the top of the leaderboard having exchanged the lead at numerous times as playing partners during the third round in warm but not oppressive conditions in Florida.
World No3 Mickelson had carded a third-round 69 to move to 16 under par for the tournament, after seeing his two-shot halfway lead eroded by a 67 from Watney.
The official weather forecast for today's final round was for warm and humid conditions with an afternoon high reaching around 29C.