LOS ANGELES — Phil Mickelson has advised a journalist writing a biography on him that he recruited three different “prime gamers” for the Saudi-backed golf league and so they paid attorneys to write down the working settlement for the proposed league.
In one other inflammatory second for the six-time main champion, Mickelson mentioned his finish recreation is extra about an opportunity to reshape the PGA Tour than for the Saudi league to succeed.
His feedback got here from an interview with Alan Shipnuck, whose e-book on Mickelson is due in Might. Shipnuck posted a narrative primarily based on the cellphone interview on “The Firepit Collective” web site.
“They’re scary mom [expletive] to get entangled with,” Mickelson says. “We all know they killed [Washington Post reporter Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible document on human rights. They execute folks over there for being homosexual. Realizing all of this, why would I even think about it? As a result of this can be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”
Mickelson mentioned the PGA Tour has been used “manipulative, coercive, strong-arm techniques” as a result of gamers had no recourse. He mentioned Commissioner Jay Monahan would possibly appear to be a pleasant particular person, however with out leverage, “he received’t do what’s proper.”
“I’m unsure I occasion need it to succeed,” he mentioned of the Saudi league. “However simply the concept of it's permitting us to get issues executed with the tour.”
Justin Thomas, one in every of a number of extremely ranked gamers who've mentioned they aren't all in favour of a Saudi-funded league, described Mickelson’s remarks as an “egotistical assertion.”
“He’s executed quite a lot of nice issues for the PGA Tour. It’s a giant cause it's the place it's,” Thomas mentioned Friday from the Genesis Invitational. “However him and others which might be very adamant about that, in the event that they’re that passionate, go forward. I don’t suppose anyone’s stopping them.”
Mickelson’s revealed remarks come two weeks after an interview with Golf Digest on the Saudi Worldwide during which Mickelson accused the PGA Tour of “obnoxious greed.”
Greg Norman is behind the brand new league along with his LIV Investments, which has pumped $300 million into the Asian Tour that's separate from a proposed league that purportedly affords gamers assured cash that solely elite gamers have earned of their PGA Tour profession.
One report had Bryson DeChambeau, one other Saudi supporter, being provided $130 million, which is greater than Tiger Woods has made in his profession.
“The tour likes to fake it’s a democracy, however it’s actually a dictatorship,” Mickelson mentioned within the report. “They divide and conquer. The issues of the highest gamers are very totally different from the fellows who make their very own scenario higher, however the prime guys don’t have a say.”
Mickelson didn't say who the opposite prime gamers have been, or the attorneys they paid. However he mentioned he has 20 gamers prepared to go away for the Saudi league.
“If the tour doesn’t do the precise factor, there's a excessive chance it’s going to occur,” he mentioned.
Nobody has signed up, or been introduced, however many of the hypothesis has centered round gamers within the twilight of their careers.
“That’s not what they’re going to need, is it? Rory McIlroy mentioned Wednesday at Riviera. ”They don’t need some form of league that’s like a pre-Champions Tour. I assume I perceive the monetary a part of it for guys which might be in a while of their profession.
“You take a look at the those that have already mentioned no,” McIlroy mentioned, mentioning himself, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa for starters. “You’ve acquired the highest gamers on the planet are saying no, in order that has to let you know one thing.”
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