Phil Mickelson has joined a group hoping to buy the Padres. Mickelson, a San Diego native, said Monday that he has rejected previous opportunities to become involved in sports ownership, but the Padres are an appealing option. "This was a unique opportunity with families that had done this before and know how to do it right and want to get involved in the community," Mickelson said. Mickelson told the paper he's joined a group headlined by former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley, one of five known parties interested in purchasing a controlling interest in the club.