Golf
Phil Mickelson: His Absence from the PGA Tour is An Intriguing Journey
Phil Mickelson: His Absence from the PGA Tour is An Intriguing Journey
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SportsWriters
The PGA of America announced on Friday that Phil Mickelson, the two-time PGA champion, would not play at Southern Hills, continuing an exile from competitive golf that is either self-imposed, a suspension from the PGA Tour, or both.
Media and fans, Mickelson’s two biggest supporters over the years, turned on him and accused him of chasing “blood money.” In 2022, Mickelson lost a significant number of sponsors that deserted him including KPMG, Amstel Light, and Workday, after comments he made about the Saudi-backed golf league, Super Golf League.
His last round was in late January, and he missed the Masters, where he had a past champions exemption.
Let’s pick up Phil’s journey back at the PGA Championship in 2021.
May 23rd, 2021
PGA Championship: Phil Mickelson becomes oldest major winner in history with two-shot win https://t.co/l660JqgqZb pic.twitter.com/flJKHqTtGy
— B2Cpromo (@B2Cpromo1) May 25, 2021
Oldest Major winners
| Player | Major | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Mickelson | 2021 PGA Championship | 50 years, 11 months |
| Julius Boros | 1968 PGA Championship | 48 years, 4 months |
| Tom Morris Sr. | 1867 British Open | 46 years, 3 months |
| Jack Nicklaus | 1986 Masters | 46 years, 2 months |
Phil was riding High after the monumental win
After an illustrious career, Phil Mickelson was at the pinnacle of his journey.
The Rest of 2021 season
- Finished 62nd at U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in June.
- Missed the cut at The Open at Royal St. Geore’s in July.
- A 17th place finish at the WGC-FedEx St. Jue invitational was his only other top 20 finish.
- Selected as a vice-captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
- Won 4 of 6 events on the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
February 2022
Phil Calls out the PGA Tour for Obnoxious Greed
At an event in Saudia Arabia, Phil Mickelson says PGA Tour’s “obnoxious greed” has him looking elsewhere, including the LIV Golf Investments tour with Greg Norman, who is chief executive. Interestingly, Phil has earned over $800 million in total winnings and endorsements over the years.
Very interested to see Phil Mickelson call out the "obnoxious greed" of the PGA Tour. pic.twitter.com/l9jcUlIPdc
— Michael McEwan (@MMcEwanGolf) February 3, 2022
Shocking quotes surface
Mickelson’s remarks in Saudi Arabia were greeted with a mixed reaction, with Brooks Koepka publicly questioning his former Ryder Cup teammate, however, tensions were about to take a sharp turn for the worse when excerpts were released from an interview conducted with Alan Shipnuck for an upcoming book.
"They're scary mo----- to get involved with. We know they killed [Washington Post reporter, Saudi native and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people 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.
- Phil Mickelson
"Phil said some things that I think many of us who are dedicated to the Tour and who are dedicated to the heritage of the Tour have refused, and he has taken some personal time, and we all understand that," Woods said, before going on to brand Mickelson's comments "divisive."
- Tiger Woods
"I'm sure he's sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here."
- Rory McIlroy
April 2022: Phil skips the Masters
Masters lists Mickelson among those not playing in April
Washington: 6-time major champion Phil Mickelson will not play in next month's Masters, missing the Augusta National showdown for the first time since 1994, according to a field update posted on the tournament's website. pic.twitter.com/If7ZuWJTJZ
— Rizwan Rehmat (@dohagames) March 22, 2022
Gambling woes surface
New Phil Mickelson bio says he amassed $40 million in gambling losses between 2010 and 2014. Also includes details like this: pic.twitter.com/FBRSV09aYx
— Alex Roth (@alexroth3) May 17, 2022
I Wonder What Phil Spends His Money On?
$40.8 million
Phil Mickelson reportedly earns $40.8 million a year: $40 million in endorsements and $800, 000 in tour winnings.
A number of people would be shocked by Mickelson’s ability to burn money – such as the government investigation that showed he lost $40 million gambling from 2010-14 – and his associations with gamblers and hoodlums with mob ties.
Audits show he could have barely been breaking even during those years.
May 2022: Phil declines to defend his PGA Championship
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 13, 2022
What's Next?
TBD
Check back for updates to Phil’s Journey through 2022!
Social comments
Golf's most conspicuous absence made news again with the announcement that Phil Mickelson will not defend his title at the PGA Championship.
Worth noting that Phil has earned over $800m in his career. Just something to consider when he talks about the tour wanting more and more money.