Tucson man starts petition to keep Phil Mickelson in U.S. Open

Derek Deminsky posted a petition on Change.org asking Mickelson's daughter's school, Pacific Ridge Academy north of San Diego, to change its graduation date. As of Friday morning, the petition had received more than 2,000 digital signatures. 

Mickelson announced last week that he was skipping the U.S. Open so he could attend his daughter Amanda's graduation on June 15. The ceremony takes place during the first round of the U.S. Open, held at Erin Hills in Wisconsin. 

Deminsky's post reads, in part:  

"On behalf of golf fans everywhere, I am requesting to see if there is ANY WAY possible to reschedule your graduation ceremony to Wed June 14th (or before) to allow Phil Mickelson to play in this year's U.S. Open and continue his quest for the career Grand Slam. For Phil not to play to see Amanda speak is absolutely beautiful and shows the kind of caring father and family man he is, but if there is ANY WAY POSSIBLE to move it to the day before, I and MILLIONS of golf fans everywhere would GREATLY appreciate it!"

Deminsky is the head of instruction at Forty Niner Country Club and runs golfbettertucson.com, a subscription site offering online instruction.