Mickelson to play but risks lifetime ban
Six-time major winner signs up for rebel Saudi tour series Norman reveals $1bn offer to join was rejected by Woods
Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson will make a highly contentious return to competition in the opening Saudi rebel event in Hertfordshire this week, defying PGA Tour orders and risking a lifetime ban.
On the day that Greg Norman, the LIV Golf Series chief executive, revealed that Tiger Woods turned down up to $1billion (£798million) to join the breakaway circuit, Mickelson, 51, proved that he does put a price on his legacy, with estimates stretching to $200million on his signing-on fee to play in the eight LIV events this year – and those in future years.
If the Centurion Club needed any more publicity before staging the $25million opener to the series – and with the first round on Thursday, ticket sales have been far from healthy – then last night’s announcement about the left-hander’s comeback following a four-month absence certainly took the spotlight, raising the controversy splitting the male professional game to a whole new level.
From calling the Saudis “scary m-----------s” a few months ago, Mickelson has re-emerged as their star attraction alongside Dustin Johnson and the backlash from the traditionalists will inevitably have little mercy. “Phil The Shill” is a nickname already gaining traction.
Mickelson was contrite in a statement released after LIV Golf published news of the final player in the 48-man field.
“First and foremost, I want to again apologise to the many people I offended and hurt with my comments,” he said. “I needed to start prioritising the people that I love the most and work on becoming a better version of myself.
“I have spent this time with Amy [his wife] and loved ones. I have been engaged… in continued therapy, and feel healthy and much more at peace. I realise I still have a long way to go, but I am embracing the work ahead.
“I am ready to come back to play the game I love, but after 32 years this new path is a fresh start, one that is 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 expressed his intent to “still play the majors”, but pointedly did not mention teeing up on the PGA Tour again. Having declined to say sorry to the Tour in his initial mea culpa after his rant in February – in which he accused Tour commissioner Jay Monahan of “running a tyranny” and of “obnoxious greed” –
Mickelson at least said he was “incredibly grateful” to the Tour on which he has earned almost $100million. But only with a caveat. “I would like to think I’ve given back as well,” he said.
He recognises that this apparent humility will hardly assuage the majority. “I fully realise and respect that some may disagree with this decision and have strong opinions, and I empathise with that,” Mickelson added. There will be nothing short of outrage that he has chosen to re-enter the arena on the Saudi ticket, having eschewed a historic appearance at last month’s USPGA Championship, where he would have become the oldest player ever to defend a major title.
The reason why is obvious. When Johnson was unveiled as the surprise superstar in the 48-man, 54-holer, Telegraph Sport revealed that the former world No 1, who won the Masters just 18 months ago, had held out for $150million.
It must be presumed that Mickelson is on more, despite admitting three months ago that he was using the kingdom’s assault on big-time golf as leverage in his media rights row with the PGA Tour.
Mickelson was desperate not to take all the heat himself, and the capture of Johnson was important to his inclusion.
Norman is clearly delighted. He told the Washington Post that the Saudis missed out on Woods, rejecting a “mind-blowingly enormous” offer in the “high nine digits”, but has what he sees as the next best thing in terms of trascendental fame. “Phil is unequivocally one of the greatest golfers of this generation,” Norman said in his own statement. “His contributions to the sport and connection to fans around the globe cannot be overstated, and we are grateful to have him.”
Norman, courtesy of the billions of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, has attracted 27 of the world’s top 150 to Hemel Hempstead and although Johnson, 37, boasts the firepower of a current heavyweight, Mickelson has the pulling power.
After Hertfordshire, the LIV circus moves to the United States for three events before stops in Bangkok and Saudi Arabia itself, finishing at Trump Doral in Miami at the end of October. The furore will not calm down. For now, the Centurion will prepare for one of the more extraordinary weeks in golf, with the winner receiving $4million, last-placed collecting $120,000 and a team event dishing out $5million.
All eyes will be on Mickelson’s press conference. If he agrees to sit down, it will resemble an inquisition. Does he need the money because of his betting losses reported to be $40million in one four-year period, and after suffering more than $30million annually in cancelled sponsorships? Why did he skip the Masters and USPGA? Was he banned from the PGA Tour? Does he have interest in still being a captain in the Ryder Cup?
And more to the point, will the powers-that-be allow him and is he prepared to go to court to fight for his right to appear where he wants?
In a long-running saga marked by rampant uncertainty, the difficult questions are only now being framed.