Golf: Phil Mickelson will deal w/ Saudis to pressure PGA "They killed & have a horrible record on human rights" UPDATE! PGA/LIV MERGE!


The American Express event on the PGA Tour will no longer have Phil Mickelson serve as host

Phil Mickelson's controversial comments about the PGA Tour and organizers of a Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway league continue to create backlash, as the six-time major champion will no longer serve as host of The American Express event in La Quinta, California.
The PGA Tour on Saturday told The Desert Sun that in addition to Mickelson not returning as host in January 2023, the Mickelson Foundation will no longer be the charitable arm of the event.


On Friday, it was announced that Callaway Golf paused its relationship with Mickelson while Workday ended its sponsorship with him. Two other sponsors, KPMG and Amstel Light, cut ties with Mickelson earlier in the week.
Author Alan Shipnuck released an excerpt from his upcoming unauthorized biography of Mickelson last week. In it, Mickelson described the Saudis as "scary" but said he was looking past their controversial history of human rights violations to gain leverage with the PGA Tour.
His comments drew widespread criticism -- including from fellow PGA Tour players -- leading Mickelson to apologize days later.
"Although it doesn't look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interests of golf, my peers, sponsors and fans," Mickelson wrote. "There is the problem of off-the-record comments being shared out of context and without my consent, but the bigger issue is that I used words that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions.
"It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I'm beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this."
He added that he was taking time away from golf "to prioritize the ones I love most and to work on being the man I want to be."
On the "Fire Pit Collective" podcast, Shipnuck said Mickelson reached out to him to discuss the PGA Tour and other issues in November. Shipnuck said Mickelson never said their discussion was off the record or for background purposes only, and knew it would be used in his book.

"I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the public," Mickelson wrote as part of his statement. "My intent was never to hurt anyone and I'm sorry to the people I have negatively impacted. This has always been about supporting the players and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of doubt."
Mickelson, 51, had served as host of The American Express event since 2020.

Last month, American Express extended its title sponsorship deal with the event through 2028. According to The Desert Sun, the event has resulted in $68 million being distributed to local charities since it debuted in 1960.
 
Tomorrow @ 1pm.

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Augusta National officials don't want Phil to play in the Masters. Looks like Karma finally caught up with the phony bitch. :rolleyes:
 

Augusta chairman: Phil Mickelson was invited to Masters but pulled out

  • Mark SchlabachESPN Senior Writer
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson pulled out of this year's tournament and was eligible to compete if he wanted to.
Mickelson notified Ridley, via text message, in late February or early March that he wouldn't be playing in this week's Masters.



"I would like to say we did not disinvite Phil," Ridley said during a news conference Wednesday. "Phil is a three-time Masters champion and is invited in that category and many other categories; he's the defending PGA champion.
"Phil reached out to me ... and let me know that he did not intend to play. That was by way of a text, and I thanked him for his courtesy in letting me know. I told him that we certainly appreciated that and, you know, told him that I was certainly willing to discuss that further with him if he'd like. He thanked me, and we had a very cordial exchange."
Mickelson, who last year became the oldest major champion at 50 with his unexpected victory at the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, hasn't played in a PGA Tour event in more than two months. He last played at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January and missed the cut.
On Feb. 17, author Alan Shipnuck posted Mickelson's controversial comments about the PGA Tour and a proposed breakaway league being funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the nation's sovereign wealth fund, which has an estimated worth of $500 billion.

"They're scary motherf---ers to get involved with," Mickelson told Shipnuck, who posted an excerpt of his upcoming book, "Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar," on the Fire Pit Collective website.

"... They killed [Washington Post journalist and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights," Mickelson continued, in an interview that Shipnuck said took place in November. "They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."

Mickelson's comments were criticized by fellow PGA Tour pros. A few of his longtime sponsors, including KPMG, Amstel Light and Workday, ended their relationships with him. Callaway paused its relationship with Mickelson, a six-time major winner.
Mickelson later apologized for his comments.

"It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words," Mickelson wrote in his apology. "I'm beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this."

Mickelson wrote that he would be taking a break from playing golf. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said at last month's Players Championship that he hadn't yet spoken to Mickelson.

"I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be," Mickelson wrote.

It would have been Mickelson's 30th Masters appearance. He last won a green jacket in 2010.

"He made a personal decision, and I don't know anything beyond that," Ridley said. "I know that Phil has been a real fixture here at the Masters for many, many years. He's been a big part of our history. I certainly and we certainly wish him the best sort of working through the issues he's dealing with right now."
 
If they offered Jack 100 mill to be the face of the LIV tour, I wonder how much Tiger Woods could command to be the face of the tour.
Yeah, it looks like the PGA Tour's monopoly is slowing crumbling. Golf needs new blood anyway, & hey, if Tiger were to be the face of the league, he would be worth at least a billy ~~ a billy for the goat.
 
I just heard who went over there

And no one saying sh*t

Damn.

I swear if I ever hear some fool try to talk about the NBA and China?

Imma go nuclear



Remember,Lebron called Morey misinformed and the Rockets owner had the audacity to say the team wasn't a political organization after Morey came out supporting Hong Kong. That's when the whole China backlash happened because people were looking at the NBA on why they were doing business with China.

With that said I agree with you 100%
 

Greg Norman claims Tiger Woods turned down 'mind-blowingly enormous' high nine-digit LIV Golf deal
The 15-time major winner was not swayed by the lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabian-backed league

By Patrick McDonald

5 hrs ago•2 min read




Getty Images
LIV Golf Investments CEO Greg Norman claimed in an interview with the Washington Post that Tiger Woods turned down an obscene amount of money to join the rival golf league backed by the Saudi Arabia government. Woods, who has played in the Masters and PGA Championship already this year, has provided no indication that he gave serious consideration to the offer.
"Mind-blowingly enormous," said Norman of the size of the offer. "We're talking about high nine digits."
While nine-digit deals are nothing new for LIV Golf, which reportedly offered $100 million to Jack Nicklaus to serve in Norman's role and is paying Dustin Johnson somewhere in the neighborhood of $125 million as a sign-on fee to play in its league, it stands to reason the pitch to Tiger was far higher than either of those.
Despite the temptation of such a payday, the 46-year-old will be going nowhere. He essentially confirmed his stance on the matter ahead of the PGA Championship in May.

"Phil [Mickelson] has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the tour and committed to the legacy of the tour have pushed back against," said Woods at Southern Hills. "But I think that some of his views on how the tour could be run, should be run, been a lot of disagreement there. ... Obviously, we're going to have difference of opinions, how he sees the [PGA] Tour, and we'll go from there."
Woods later added: "I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. There's plenty of money out here. The Tour is growing. But it's just like any other sport. It's like tennis. You have to go out there and earn it. You've got to go out there and play for it. We have opportunity to go ahead and do it. It's just not guaranteed up front."


The LIV Golf Series Invitational is set to kick off later this week with the inaugural event scheduled for June 9-11 at the Centurion Club in London. Alongside Johnson in the 48-man field are PGA Tour winners Talor Gooch, Kevin Na and Matt Jones as well as former world No. 1s Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. Na publicly removed himself from the PGA Tour, likely to avoid potential suspension for playing in LIV Golf. The PGA Tour to this point has denied all such waiver requests.
 
Phil Mickelson to return to golf at first Saudi-backed LIV event, beginning Thursday in London

After a four-month hiatus, Phil Mickelson is ready to return to competitive golf, albeit on a "new path" and with a "fresh start" on the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Mickelson, a six-time major championship winner, was added to the field on Monday for LIV Golf's first event, which is scheduled to start Thursday at Centurion Club outside London. In a statement posted to his Twitter account on Monday, Mickelson said he still plans to play in the majors, but didn't say whether he would compete in PGA Tour events.



Mickelson said he plans to play in the U.S. Open, which begins June 16 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
"I am looking forward to playing the U.S. Open and I'll be there," Mickelson told Sports Illustrated on Monday. "I'm under the understanding that I'm able to play."
Mickelson, 51, hasn't played since missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He skipped the Masters and PGA Championship, an event he won last year. He took time away from golf after his controversial comments about the PGA Tour's "obnoxious greed" and the Saudi Arabian financiers of LIV Golf caused a firestorm. Mickelson said he feels healthy and "more at peace" after being "engaged and intentional" in continued therapy.
"I am ready to come back and play the game I love but after 32 years this new path is a fresh start, one that's exciting for me at this stage of my career and is clearly transformative, not just for myself, but ideally for the game and my peers," Mickelson wrote.
"I also love the progressive format and think it will be exciting for fans. Just as importantly, it will provide balance, allowing me to focus on a healthier approach to life on and off the course. I am incredibly grateful for what this game and the PGA Tour has given me. I would like to think that I have given back as well but now I am excited about this new opportunity."
Mickelson joins a 48-man field in London that also includes two-time major winners Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer, as well as four other major winners: Sergio Garcia (2017 Masters), Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters), Graeme McDowell (2010 U.S. Open) and Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open Championship).
"Phil Mickelson is unequivocally one of the greatest golfers of this generation," LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said in a statement. "His contributions to the sport and connection to fans around the globe cannot be overstated and we are grateful to have him. He strengthens an exciting field for London where we're proud to launch a new era for golf."
Mickelson, one of the most popular players of his generation, has already paid a steep price for his controversial comments. Several of his longtime sponsors, including Amstel Light, KPMG and Workday, ended their relationships with him. Callaway, which signed Mickelson to an equipment deal until the end of his career, paused its relationship with him.
Mickelson apologized for his remarks, which were made to author Alan Shipnuck, who was writing an unauthorized biography of the player popularly known as "Lefty." During the conversation, which Shipnuck said took place in November, Mickelson said he was working with two players to hire lawyers to draw up operating agreements for the new circuit, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
"They're scary motherf---ers to get involved with," Mickelson told Shipnuck. "... They killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."
Mickelson apologized for the remarks again on Monday.
"First and foremost, I want to again apologize to the many people I offended and hurt with my comments a few months ago," Mickelson wrote. "I have made mistakes in my career in some of the things I have said and done. Taking time away and self-reflecting has been very humbling. I need to start prioritizing the people that I love the most and work on becoming a better version of myself."
While many stars such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth have pledged their loyalty to the PGA Tour, Mickelson and 13 others are jumping to Norman's new circuit.

On May 11, the PGA Tour denied conflicting-event releases to players who requested them to play in London. Tour commissioner Jay Monahan told player agents at last week's Memorial in Columbus, Ohio, that players had to choose between the tour and LIV Golf and couldn't play on both circuits. Monahan has threatened players who competed in London without releases with discipline, including fines, suspensions and/or bans.
On Saturday, longtime PGA Tour member Kevin Na, who also is competing in London, resigned from the tour instead of facing possible discipline or legal action. Garcia, Schwartzel, Oosthuizen and Branden Grace also resigned from the tour, their manager told The Associated Press on Monday.
LIV Golf is offering staggering purses -- the total prize money is $255 million this year, including $25 million for each of the seven regular-season tournaments -- that are the richest in professional golf. The eight-event LIV series will feature five tournaments played in the United States, including a team championship match-play finale at Trump Doral in Miami from Oct. 28 to 30. The second LIV event is scheduled for July 1 to 3 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland, Oregon.
 
Phil Mickelson Signs LIV Golf Contract Reportedly Worth Approximately $200M
JOSEPH ZUCKERJUNE 6, 2022

Oisin Keniry/Getty Images
Phil Mickelson has signed with LIV Golf, the breakaway golf tour backed by Saudi Arabia.

Mickelson noted he still intends to play in majors.
Brentley Romine of Golf Channel reported Mickelson's contract is worth in the range of $200 million.
Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post reported Mickelson will compete in LIV Golf's inaugural event in London, which begins Thursday. The details of his deal aren't yet known.
The 51-year-old is the biggest star to align himself with LIV Golf, a group that includes Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Kevin Na.
Monday's news was widely expected after Mickelson telegraphed his intentions during an interview with Fire Pit Collective's Alan Shipnuck.

The six-time major champion described the Saudi regime as "scary motherf--kers" who "have a horrible record on human rights." Still, he said the Saudi league was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."
The comments drew widespread derision, including from Mickelson's peers. He issued a statement apologizing for the remarks:

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Mickelson effectively became persona non grata on the PGA Tour. He hasn't competed since the Farmers Insurance Open in January, and ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Kevin Van Valkenburg reported that some question whether he'll ever be back on the tour.
Ahead of the Memorial Tournament last week, the PGA Tour issued a statement about LIV Golf.
"As communicated to our entire membership on May 10, PGA Tour members have not been authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League's London event, under PGA Tour Tournament Regulations," the tour said, per Schlabach. "Members who violate the Tournament Regulations are subject to disciplinary action."
Although Mickelson indicated his desire to compete in golf's four major tournaments, it's unclear whether signing with LIV Golf will jeopardize his—and others'—eligibility for those events.
The 2022 U.S. Open tees off June 16, and Mickelson is among those who have qualified for the event. Whether he plays could be the first big test of how well the PGA Tour can fight off the threat LIV Golf poses.
 
Exclusive: Phil Mickelson On LIV Golf and His PGA Tour Status, 'I Have Not Resigned My Membership'
The 51-year-old told SI.com/Morning Read that he is 'excited and energized' to play in all eight events of the new series and that he also will play in next week's U.S. Open.
Phil Mickelson is one of golf’s greatest champions, a player with a resume that ranks among the best of all time. Six majors, 45 PGA Tour victories, a pro career that spans 30 years.
But when it resumes this week at the LIV Golf Invitational Series event outside of London, things will be considerably different.
Mickelson has spent the better part of the past four months underground due to the fallout associated with the start-up of this new venture. Until Monday, he had issued no public statements, played no golf tournaments and missed two major championships, including the PGA Championship last month where he was the defending champion.
Now he is back.
Commissioner Greg Norman and LIV Golf announced that Mickelson would be playing the inaugural event at Centurion Club, the 54-hole, 48-player tournament that will have a $25 million purse.
Mickelson, 51, gave his first interview on Monday, speaking to SI.com/Morning Read via phone prior to departing to England.
During the interview, he expressed regret about the way certain things were handled, acknowledged the last four months have given him time to reflect, that he plans to play all eight LIV Golf series events and that he still expects to be able to compete in the major championships. And Mickelson said he would not be forfeiting his PGA Tour membership.
The league is highly controversial, not only because it is being backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, but due to the threat it potentially poses to the PGA Tour. Mickelson, and other Tour members, have not been granted authorization by commissioner Jay Monahan to play. Mickelson offered his first public comments in a statement Monday before doing the interview.

Mickelson planned to be at the pairings party Tuesday and play in the tournament pro-am Wednesday.

SI.com/Morning Read: Why, ultimately, did you decide to do this?

Phil Mickelson:
“I think that the biggest reason is when I would think about LIV Golf I found myself excited and energized to play and work hard and compete again. I think after doing this for 30 years, I’m excited about something new and this different format. And at this point in my life, just as importantly, it gives some balance in my life for Amy and I. This motivates me to work hard and compete. But it also gives me time and opportunity to have the balance in my life that I’m looking forward to do doing with (wife) Amy and that I’ve always wanted to do. I’m excited for the opportunities both on the golf course and off.’’

SI/MR: What, if anything, do you wish you had done differently?

Mickelson:
“Certainly there’s a lot of things I regret. I made a lot of mistakes. I hurt a lot of people and I’m really sorry.’’

SI/MR: What about the sponsorships you’ve lost? Is there any way back with those companies?

Mickelson:
“I’ve had some really good conversations with my sponsors because they’re not just my sponsors but my friends, too. I’m very appreciative of the support they’ve shown me throughout this time. I think that the answer, though, will play itself out in due time. I don’t think those answers are available right now. It will play out in time.’’

SI/MR: The Saudi involvement through the Public Investment Fund and backing of LIV Golf is a big issue for the series. How do you square that relationship and going forward with this?

Mickelson:
“I certainly do not condone human rights violations. And addressing what happened to Jamal Khashoggi is awful. But I have seen the good that game of golf has done throughout history. And I really believe that LIV can be good for the game of golf as well.’’

SI/MR: What do you expect your status with the PGA Tour to be going forward?

Mickelson:
“I’m certainly grateful for the 30-plus years that I’ve had with the PGA Tour. The many memories and experiences that I’ve shared. And I’d like to think that I contributed to the PGA Tour over that time. And I have earned a lifetime membership (a minimum of 20 victories and 15 years on the PGA Tour). I’m hopeful that stays the same. I also feel it’s important for any player to have the right to play wherever they want, in addition to me being able to keep my lifetime membership.’’

SI/MR: Have you spoken with (PGA Tour commissioner) Jay Monahan?

Mickelson:
“We haven’t had contact. And any feelings that I have in regard to playing the Tour or feelings in regard to the Tour in general I need to keep behind closed doors. That was certainly a mistake that I’ve made.’’

SI/MR: Have you spoken to any players and, specifically, Tiger Woods?

Mickelson:
“Not Tiger specifically. I have played golf with some of my peers. And I’ve talked with others. And I’m really appreciative of the support they’ve shown. I don’t feel comfortable saying (who he has spoken to)."

SI/MR: Have you had any discussions with the organizations that run the major championships and have you been given assurances that you will be allowed to compete in them?

Mickelson:
“I’ve had many conversations with the organizations that run the majors. And I do want to keep those conversations private. But I am looking forward to playing the U.S. Open and I’ll be there. I’m under the understanding that I’m able to play.’’

SI/MR: Have you resigned your PGA Tour membership in order to avoid a suspension?

Mickelson:
“I have not resigned my membership. I worked really hard to earn that lifetime membership. And I’m hopeful that I’ll have the ability to play wherever I want, where it’s the PGA Tour, LIV or wherever else I want.’’

SI/MR: Did anything preclude you from playing in the Masters or the PGA Championship? If not, why did you not play?

Mickelson:
“I had great conversations with all of the governing bodies. I was under the understanding that I was able to play. But I really needed some time away. This has been really good for me to have this time with Amy and for me to be able to step away and reflect a little bit. I’ve been doing this so long. Easy to get in a bit of a rut. It’s given me a chance to spend time with Amy and create a better balance in my life, so it’s not so focused on just golf.’’

SI/MR: Did you watch either of them and if so, was it difficult?
Mickelson:
“I did watch them. I enjoy watching golf and found it to be exciting. But I didn’t necessarily want to be there. I wasn’t in a position to be there and be able to compete.’’
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Mickelson, USGA disgrace U.S. Open

SI/MR: You’ve had a 30-plus-year run with the PGA Tour with a record that is one of the best in the game’s history. Are you concerned at all about your legacy?
Mickelson:
“I haven’t put a ton of time into thinking about that. I’ve had so many great memories in the game of golf. And so much appreciation and gratitude that the game of golf has provided me. But I haven’t really thought about that too much.’’
SI/MR: Given the amount of money being offered and certainly what we know the purses are to be, there is a suggestion that you are doing this due to financial difficulties. Can you address that?
Mickelson:
“My gambling got to a point of being reckless and embarrassing. I had to address it. And I’ve been addressing it for a number of years. And for hundreds of hours of therapy. I feel good where I’m at there. My family and I are and have been financially secure for some time.

“Gambling has been part of my life ever since I can remember. But about a decade ago is when I would say it became reckless. It’s embarrassing. I don’t like that people know. The fact is I’ve been dealing with it for some time. Amy has been very supportive of it and with me and the process. We’re at place after many years where I feel comfortable with where that is. It isn’t a threat to me or my financial security. It was just a number of poor decisions.’’
SI/MR: What about gambling on the course in practice rounds, which you’ve always used as a way to prepare?
Mickelson:
“On the golf course, it’s creating competition. But it’s the anxiety, the other things that come across with gambling off the course and addiction off the course that I really needed to address.’’
SI/MR: What have last four months been like?
Mickelson:
“It's been a tremendous opportunity for me to spend time with Amy and loved ones that I’ve never really had this opportunity to do in my life. I’ve been able to be much more present and engaged when I’m with the people I love. I feel much more health and at peace. I’ve spent a lot of time doing therapy and dealing with issues that I have. But I’ve come away with a balance in my life and a renewed excitement and energy to get back to playing golf.’’
SI/MR: Given all the time away, how do you expect to perform?
Mickelson: "
I didn’t touch a club for a few months. When I came back, I started playing really well. And I found myself on the golf course much more calm. Shooting some good scores. I’m working with (swing coach) Andrew (Getson) and I’m excited about playing. But I’m uncertain how I will play given that I haven’t played in a few months. But I’m optimistic.’’
 

Phil Mickelson to return to golf at first Saudi-backed LIV event, beginning Thursday in London
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  • Mark SchlabachESPN Senior Writer
After a four-month hiatus, Phil Mickelson is ready to return to competitive golf, albeit on a "new path" and with a "fresh start" on the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Mickelson, a six-time major championship winner, was added to the field on Monday for LIV Golf's first event, which is scheduled to start Thursday at Centurion Club outside London. In a statement posted to his Twitter account on Monday, Mickelson said he still plans to play in the majors, but didn't say whether he would compete in PGA Tour events.

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Mickelson said he plans to play in the U.S. Open, which begins June 16 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
"I am looking forward to playing the U.S. Open and I'll be there," Mickelson told Sports Illustrated on Monday. "I'm under the understanding that I'm able to play."
Mickelson, 51, hasn't played since missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He skipped the Masters and PGA Championship, an event he won last year. He took time away from golf after his controversial comments about the PGA Tour's "obnoxious greed" and the Saudi Arabian financiers of LIV Golf caused a firestorm. Mickelson said he feels healthy and "more at peace" after being "engaged and intentional" in continued therapy.
EDITOR'S PICKS
"I am ready to come back and play the game I love but after 32 years this new path is a fresh start, one that's exciting for me at this stage of my career and is clearly transformative, not just for myself, but ideally for the game and my peers," Mickelson wrote.
"I also love the progressive format and think it will be exciting for fans. Just as importantly, it will provide balance, allowing me to focus on a healthier approach to life on and off the course. I am incredibly grateful for what this game and the PGA Tour has given me. I would like to think that I have given back as well but now I am excited about this new opportunity."
Mickelson joins a 48-man field in London that also includes two-time major winners Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer, as well as four other major winners: Sergio Garcia (2017 Masters), Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters), Graeme McDowell (2010 U.S. Open) and Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open Championship).
"Phil Mickelson is unequivocally one of the greatest golfers of this generation," LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said in a statement. "His contributions to the sport and connection to fans around the globe cannot be overstated and we are grateful to have him. He strengthens an exciting field for London where we're proud to launch a new era for golf."
Mickelson, one of the most popular players of his generation, has already paid a steep price for his controversial comments. Several of his longtime sponsors, including Amstel Light, KPMG and Workday, ended their relationships with him. Callaway, which signed Mickelson to an equipment deal until the end of his career, paused its relationship with him.
Mickelson apologized for his remarks, which were made to author Alan Shipnuck, who was writing an unauthorized biography of the player popularly known as "Lefty." During the conversation, which Shipnuck said took place in November, Mickelson said he was working with two players to hire lawyers to draw up operating agreements for the new circuit, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
"They're scary motherf---ers to get involved with," Mickelson told Shipnuck. "... They killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."
Mickelson apologized for the remarks again on Monday.
"First and foremost, I want to again apologize to the many people I offended and hurt with my comments a few months ago," Mickelson wrote. "I have made mistakes in my career in some of the things I have said and done. Taking time away and self-reflecting has been very humbling. I need to start prioritizing the people that I love the most and work on becoming a better version of myself."
While many stars such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth have pledged their loyalty to the PGA Tour, Mickelson and 13 others are jumping to Norman's new circuit.

On May 11, the PGA Tour denied conflicting-event releases to players who requested them to play in London. Tour commissioner Jay Monahan told player agents at last week's Memorial in Columbus, Ohio, that players had to choose between the tour and LIV Golf and couldn't play on both circuits. Monahan has threatened players who competed in London without releases with discipline, including fines, suspensions and/or bans.
On Saturday, longtime PGA Tour member Kevin Na, who also is competing in London, resigned from the tour instead of facing possible discipline or legal action. Garcia, Schwartzel, Oosthuizen and Branden Grace also resigned from the tour, their manager told The Associated Press on Monday.
LIV Golf is offering staggering purses -- the total prize money is $255 million this year, including $25 million for each of the seven regular-season tournaments -- that are the richest in professional golf. The eight-event LIV series will feature five tournaments played in the United States, including a team championship match-play finale at Trump Doral in Miami from Oct. 28 to 30. The second LIV event is scheduled for July 1 to 3 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland, Oregon.
 

Greg Norman claims Tiger Woods turned down 'mind-blowingly enormous' high nine-digit LIV Golf deal
The 15-time major winner was not swayed by the lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabian-backed league

By Patrick McDonald

5 hrs ago•2 min read




Getty Images
LIV Golf Investments CEO Greg Norman claimed in an interview with the Washington Post that Tiger Woods turned down an obscene amount of money to join the rival golf league backed by the Saudi Arabia government. Woods, who has played in the Masters and PGA Championship already this year, has provided no indication that he gave serious consideration to the offer.
"Mind-blowingly enormous," said Norman of the size of the offer. "We're talking about high nine digits."
While nine-digit deals are nothing new for LIV Golf, which reportedly offered $100 million to Jack Nicklaus to serve in Norman's role and is paying Dustin Johnson somewhere in the neighborhood of $125 million as a sign-on fee to play in its league, it stands to reason the pitch to Tiger was far higher than either of those.
Despite the temptation of such a payday, the 46-year-old will be going nowhere. He essentially confirmed his stance on the matter ahead of the PGA Championship in May.

"Phil [Mickelson] has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the tour and committed to the legacy of the tour have pushed back against," said Woods at Southern Hills. "But I think that some of his views on how the tour could be run, should be run, been a lot of disagreement there. ... Obviously, we're going to have difference of opinions, how he sees the [PGA] Tour, and we'll go from there."
Woods later added: "I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. There's plenty of money out here. The Tour is growing. But it's just like any other sport. It's like tennis. You have to go out there and earn it. You've got to go out there and play for it. We have opportunity to go ahead and do it. It's just not guaranteed up front."


The LIV Golf Series Invitational is set to kick off later this week with the inaugural event scheduled for June 9-11 at the Centurion Club in London. Alongside Johnson in the 48-man field are PGA Tour winners Talor Gooch, Kevin Na and Matt Jones as well as former world No. 1s Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. Na publicly removed himself from the PGA Tour, likely to avoid potential suspension for playing in LIV Golf. The PGA Tour to this point has denied all such waiver requests.
rumor it was close to 1 billion!
Tiger is crazy for not taking that deal. You can take less money, but ask for ownership in the tour. Smfh
 
rumor it was close to 1 billion!
Tiger is crazy for not taking that deal. You can take less money, but ask for ownership in the tour. Smfh
There's many reasons why Tiger was smart not dealing with them right now. However, he made it clear that the main reason has to do with keeping his legacy intact and he thinks signing that deal would tarnish it.

Probably anyone that wants to work or continue to work with the PGA would not get involved with them.
 
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There's many reasons why Tiger was smart not dealing with them right now.

If you're talking about human rights, you're correct; it's bad PR for his brand in the short term, but it's better in the long run to get more than $1 billion because I would've taken less money with some ownership of the tour. That has an endless supply of money.If you talking about human rights then your correct it’s bad PR for his brand short term, but long term to get not just 1 billion because I would’ve taken less money with some ownership of the tour With an endless money supply
 
If you're talking about human rights, you're correct; it's bad PR for his brand in the short term, but it's better in the long run to get more than $1 billion because I would've taken less money with some ownership of the tour. That has an endless supply of money.If you talking about human rights then your correct it’s bad PR for his brand short term, but long term to get not just 1 billion because I would’ve taken less money with some ownership of the tour With an endless money supply
Somehow I dont think "ownership" with the Saudis would work out the way you think it would.

Tiger's name will alway be a strong brand in golf. He should be able to command what you are suggesting anytime he would ready to work for them. He will be okay waiting it out.

Besides he has made 1.7 billion over the years (supposedly). He'll be okay.

  • Since he turned pro in 1996, the 15-time major winner has earned $1.7 billion from endorsements, appearances, course design fees and other off-the-course endeavors.
 
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