WOODS POP AT REBEL LEFTY

PHIL MICKELSON’S absence from Tulsa has left the defending US PGA champion defenceless to criticism of his role as chief recruiting agent for the Saudi rebel tour – and Tiger Woods did not miss the open goal.

Mickelson is lying low after his outspoken criticism of the PGA Tour and Woods revealed he had made no attempt to persuade him to return.

“Phil has said some things that a lot of us who are committed to the Tour have pushed back against and he’s taken some personal time – we all understand that,” said Woods.

“He has his opinion on where he sees the game of golf going. I have my viewpoint how I see the game of golf. I still think the Tour has so much to offer, so much opportunity.

“I understand different viewpoints, but I believe in legacies. I believe in Major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. There’s plenty of money out here, but it’s just like any other sport – you have to earn it. It’s just not guaranteed up front.”

Rory Mcilroy took a more empathetic stance on Mickelson.

“It’s unfortunate, it’s sad,” he said. “He won a Major championship at 50 (top). It was possibly his last big, big moment in the game of golf. I think he should be here celebrating what a he achieved last year.”

But Mcilroy admitted his observation that Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed league was “dead in the water” has turned out to be wishful thinking.

“I might have been a little presumptuous,” added Mcilroy. “We’re going to have to see how it all shakes out.”