Phil Mickelson has dropped out of next week’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills, continuing his sabbatical from golf.
The PGA of America announced the decision was Mickelson’s, and in a statement said “we would have welcomed him to participate.”
The announcement is somewhat of a surprise as Mickelson, 51, is the reigning PGA champ. However, following the Fire Pit Collective’s February publication of an interview conducted last November—in which Mickelson stated he was using a Saudi-backed golf circuit as leverage against the PGA Tour and claimed he had paid lawyers to draw up the league’s operating charter—Mickelson has remained out of the public’s eye.
“They’re scary motherf—-rs to get involved with,” Mickelson was quoted in that Fire Pit story. “We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and US 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.”
“The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level,” Mickelson said in a February 22 statement, acknowledging his “reckless” comments. “I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritise the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.”
That furlough will now replace what should have been a ceremonial victory lap at Southern Hills.
In April Mickelson missed his first Masters—a tournament he’s won three times—since 1994. His last time competing in the US was in January at his hometown event the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, while his last global appearance was at the Saudi International in February.
Mickelson’s agent has previously stated Mickelson registered for the PGA Championship but was unsure his client would compete. Mickelson’s agent also acknowledged Mickelson had requested a release for the inaugural LIV Golf series event in London as well as the US Open. Earlier this week the PGA Tour denied all conflicting-event releases to its members, meaning if Mickelson decides to play in the LIV Golf tournament he faces a suspension or ban from the tour.
Mickelson’s decision to skip Southern Hills is the first time a PGA champion has not defended his title since 2008. Injury prevented Tiger Woods, who had won the previous two PGA Championships in 2006 and 2007, from competing for the Wanamaker at Oakland Hills.
