In his first public appearance in front of the media since taking a break from golf in early 2022, the usually talkative Phil Mickelson held some reservations despite a press conference lasting more than 20 minutes , Monday at The Country Club course in Brookline, Mass., where the 122e US Open, Thursday through Sunday.
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The 51-year-old stepped aside for a number of reasons, but controversial talk about the new Saudi-funded golf circuit was the trigger for the hiatus.
Mickelson recently returned to action, but on the LIV circuit, which featured its first-ever tournament last weekend. The majority of the questions he was asked were therefore logically on this subject.
“I have already had several strong opinions, let’s put it this way, about several leading groups [de la PGA] and I did a poor job of conveying them,” said Mickelson, whose comments were picked up by ESPN. It’s one of the mistakes I made and it’s something I’ll try to improve in the future. I need to be more thoughtful in my choice of words and my actions and keep many things behind closed doors.”
What future?
The man nicknamed “Lefty” was suspended indefinitely by PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan on Thursday, along with several other golfers who joined the LIV Tour.
Asked if he would play PGA events again, Mickelson remained unclear.
“My suspension from the PGA has been quite public, as has that of several other players, so it would only be speculative to think about the future. I’m going to play circuit LIV events. I will be competing in the British Open, but talking about the other events would be speculation. I don’t know how this will all work out.
“I’d rather be able to choose my own path, whether it’s one or the other, or even both. I feel like I’ve given a lot to the PGA and golf in my 30 year career, and through my accomplishments on the course, I’ve earned my lifetime membership. I intend to preserve that and choose the events in which I will take part or not.
Mickelson will be in his 31e participation in the United States Open, an event which he never won. This is also the only major tournament where he has never been able to be crowned.
