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Mickelson echoes McIlroy's thoughts on Tiger: We're lucky 'he's still with us'

John McCoy / PGA TOUR / Getty

Phil Mickelson echoed Rory McIlroy's sentiments regarding the serious leg injuries Tiger Woods sustained in his single-vehicle accident Tuesday morning.

"We all are very appreciative and supportive of what (Tiger has) done for us, but right now, that's so far from our minds," Mickelson said Thursday, according to Tee Scripts. "And I thought Rory McIlroy really said it well when he said that we're just lucky and appreciative that his kids didn't lose their father.

"We all are hoping and praying for a full and speedy recovery, but we're also thankful, because that looked awful, and we're thankful he's still with us."

McIlroy opted to address Woods' well-being instead of his potential return to golf, saying he's grateful that Tiger survived the accident.

"At this stage, I think everyone should just be grateful that he's here, that he's alive, that his kids haven't lost their dad," McIlroy said. "That's the most important thing. Golf is so far from the equation right now, it's not even on the map at this point."

Mickelson also reflected on how his relationship with Tiger - someone many considered his rival - has developed over the years.

"We were opponents competing against each other for quite some time, then we started working together to try to get the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team events, to get our players to play our best, and then we became partners in developing a couple of matches," Mickelson said. "It's been fun to be able to work with him."

Woods is recovering in the hospital after undergoing surgery to repair multiple fractures in his lower right leg and a shattered ankle.

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