Phil Mickelson has given the Players Championship - golf's richest event - his seal of approval and said the absence of Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy did not change his view of it.

"Everybody has got their own personal deal, but I disagree with their thought process," commented Mickelson when asked about the two European stars - first and sixth in the world - not bothering to play at Sawgrass.

Asked if the £5.8m tournament still had the same prestige in his eyes the 40-year-old, winner in 2007, replied: "Certainly in my mind it does.

"I feel like since I've been out on tour that this is one of the tournaments that I would like to win the most right along with the majors."

Westwood's no-show gives Mickelson another chance to become world number one for the first time in his career, but he has played that down.