Phil Mickelson officially announced on Monday that he would be joining the PGA Tour rival Golf League and the Saudi-funded organization after months of speculation and push for his support.
Mickelson said he would go on to win 25 million in prize money and $ 4 million in the first edition of LIV Golf at Centurion Golf Club in London this week.
Mikelson apologized in his statement for revealing Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. He was not seen at the golf course from his comments to author Alan Shipkunk, who is part of his unofficial character.
“First and foremost, I want to apologize again to the many people I was offended and hurt by my comments a few months ago. I have made mistakes in some of the things I have said and done in my career. I am very humbled to take the time and reflect on myself. You just have to be more discriminating with the help you render toward other people”. I’ve spent this time with Amy and their loved ones. I’m constantly engaged in therapy and purposeful and feel healthier and more at peace. I feel like I still have a long way to go, but I’m moving on.”
Mickelson said he was ready for a “new beginning.”
“I’m ready to come back to play my favorite sport but after 32 years this new way is a fresh start, exciting for me at this stage of my career and not only for me but for the ideal changer. The game and my peers. I also love the progressive look It seems to be exciting. More importantly, it will provide a balance that allows me to focus on a healthy outlook on life in and out. I am incredibly grateful for what this game and the PGA Tour have given me. But now I am excited about this new opportunity.
“I am very happy to start with LIV Golf and I appreciate everyone involved. I also consider playing major. I am fully aware and some may disagree with this decision and respect it and I have sympathy for it. I have new enthusiasm And the excitement for the game. I am extremely grateful for the support of my fans, partners, friends and peers, and I hope that this feeling, relationship and support will continue. “
Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and three other former champions will join the 54-hole tournament.
This is the first “lefties” competition at Saudi International since February 6, when he accused the PGA Tour of being “disgusting greed”. In comments to Schupnick, Mickelson said it was appropriate to go into LIV golf, ignoring Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
He later apologized for the comment but dropped out of the Masters and PGA Championships – the latter of which he won in 2021.
“His contribution to the sport and his contribution to fans around the world cannot be underestimated and we are grateful to him,” LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman said of Mickelson. “It strengthens an exciting area for London where we are proud to have ushered in a new era for golf.”
