Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson will be out of next month’s tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, marking the first time he has been out since 1994.
Mickelson, 51, was among the participants until Monday, when his name was included among the former champions who will not participate. An Augusta National spokesperson confirmed to ESPN on Monday that Mickelson would not be participating.
This would be his 30th Masters start.
Last month, author Alan Shipnak published an excerpt from his forthcoming unauthorized biography of Mickelson, in which the six-time major champion criticized the PGA Tour and said he was involved in drafting a working agreement for a breakaway league funded by the Saudi Arabian government. Investment fund. In it, Mickelson called the Saudis “scary” but said he was oblivious to their controversial history of human rights abuses in order to gain influence with the PGA Tour.
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His comments drew widespread criticism, including from fellow PGA Tour players, leading Mickelson to apologize days later.
In response, Callaway withdrew Mickelson’s sponsorship, and KPMG, Amstel Light, and Workday cut ties with him. The American Express Tournament has stated that it will no longer host it and its foundation will no longer be associated with the event.
“While it doesn’t look like it now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been in the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors and fans,” Mickelson wrote in his apology. “There is a problem that informal comments are being circulated out of context and without my consent, but a more serious problem is that I have used words that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions.
“It was reckless, I offended people and I deeply regret my choice of words. I am very disappointed and will do my best to reflect and learn from this.”
He added that he takes time away from golf “to prioritize those he loves the most and work on becoming who he wants to be.”