Mickelson plans to reduce playing schedule in 2018-19 season

It seems like Father Time is starting to get the better of Phil Mickelson.

The 48-year-old expressed he was absolutely exhausted at the Safeway Open and is now indicating he will limit the number of tournaments he plays in during the upcoming season.

“I love what I do,” Mickelson said, according to Kevin Cunningham of Golf.com. “But now, as opposed to playing the tournaments you’re expected to play in or whatever, now I’m going to play in the tournaments that I like, that are best for me, even if it doesn’t make sense or people have a problem with it.”

The news comes a day after Mickelson called Le Golf National, the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup, "almost unplayable" and a waste of his time.

“I’m going to have to start limiting the number of tournaments that I play so that I can play those at a higher level," Mickelson added. "I’m getting a little bit more mental fatigue and not able to focus and see the shot as clearly as I’d like for so many weeks in a row.”

Lefty's busy last month contained an entire FedEx Cup playoff schedule, which included a last-place finish at the Tour Championship and a winless showing at the Ryder Cup.

“I’ve learned from this,” he said. “At 48, it’s not a smart thing to do. I won’t do it anymore. I won’t do it again, playing this much golf. I’ll pace myself much more."