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Alternate Shot: Now that Phil's back ...

Even before he was a Masters champ, Phil Mickelson sometimes marched to the beat of a different drummer.

After all, this isn't the first time he's skipped the Mercedes Championships, known as a plush financial reward for tournament winners from the previous year.

But the question remains: Will skipping the Mercedes and the Sony Open hurt Phil's chances to contend for a title in his hometown of San Diego.

Golf World's Ron Sirak and ESPN.com's Bob Harig debate the issue.