by AFP
Phil Mickelson says he will be “at peace” if he never plays in a PGA Tour event or the Ryder Cup again, nearly a year after his explosive comments about the Saudi-funded LIV golf series sparked an uproar.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated published on Monday, the six-time major winner said he was not bothered by the possibility of being frozen out of PGA Tour events for good.
Mickelson was suspended by the PGA Tour last year after being one of the earliest big names to defect to the controversial LIV circuit.
The 52-year-old embraced LIV despite telling an American journalist that the circle’s Saudi backers were “scary” with a “terrible” human rights record.
Mickelson said last June that he hoped to play on the PGA Tour again.
But in his comments to Sports Illustrated, the veteran said he was now indifferent to playing on the field again.
“If I were to never play another PGA Tour event, I’m totally at peace with that,” Mickelson said.
The American said that while he believes ongoing litigation against the PGA Tour may allow him to legally return to the circuit, he planned to “scale back” the number of events while prioritizing the majors.
“I’m motivated, but I don’t see the benefit of playing more,” said the 45-time PGA Tour winner.
“The tournaments where you’re going to make a mark are the big ones. It creates a lifetime memory. If I win another Tour event, who cares? It’s not like it’s going to matter to how I look at my career.
“Another major would be a unique, special moment. It’s really where I want to thrive. And of course, winning some LIV events would mean a lot because of the role I’ve played as it was created.”
Mickelson, once seen as a virtual certainty to be a U.S. Ryder Cup captain at one point, also said he would be fine not to be part of the biennial team tournament again.
“I’ve loved being a part of the Ryder Cup playing 12 times and as vice-captain once,” Mickelson said.
“I’ve had more good experiences than probably anyone else. If I’m not a part of it, I’m at peace with that too.”
Mickelson, meanwhile, agreed there could be an uneasy atmosphere at the Champions Dinner at the Masters in April, where staunch critics of LIV Golf including Tiger Woods will dine with some of the upstart’s biggest names.
Asked if he anticipated awkwardness or awkwardness at the dinner, Mickelson added: “There might be, but not from my side. I’m very comfortable with where I’m at.”
