(Los Angeles) Phil Mickelson told a journalist who is working on writing his biography that he had recruited three other “top players” to join a new circuit supported by the Saudis. The players would have hired lawyers to help them write the rules of operation of the circuit.
Updated yesterday at 8:46 p.m.
In another incendiary tirade in the career of the six-time major tournament champion, Mickelson said his goal was more to force the PGA to change its practices rather than really hope for success on the Saudi Tour.
The comments came in an interview with journalist Alan Shipnuck, whose book on Mickelson’s life is due in May. Shipnuck published an article on The Firepit Collective website recounting the telephone interview with the golfer.
“They’re scary guys to do business with,” Mickelson reportedly said. We know that they killed (the journalist from washington post Jamal) Khashoggi and that they have a terrible human rights record. They execute people there because they are gay. Knowing all this, why would I even want to consider this proposal? Because it’s the chance of a lifetime to transform the way the PGA works. »
According to Mickelson, the PGA would use “manipulative, coercive and arm-twisting strategies” because players have no recourse. He argues that Commissioner Jay Monahan may seem like a good person, but without incentives, “he won’t do the right thing.”
“I’m not even sure I want it to work,” he would have added about the Saudi circuit. “But the mere possibility of it happening allows us to force the hand of the PGA. »
Justin Thomas, one of several prominent golfers who have publicly announced they are not interested in the Saudi Tour, called Mickelson’s explanations a “selfish comment”.
“He’s done a lot of great things for the PGA Tour. He is one of the reasons why the circuit is where it is, ”reacted Thomas Thursday on the sidelines of the Genesis invitational tournament. “But him and the others who are so convinced of their business, if they are so enthusiastic about it, let them go. I don’t think anyone is picking them up. »
Greg Norman would be behind the project with his firm LIV Investments, which would have invested 300 million in the Asian circuit. This circuit, however, would be separate from the future league where golfers would receive guaranteed salaries. Sums so high that only the greatest players can dream of in the PGA.
Rumors allege that Bryson DeChambeau was offered 130 million to join the Saudi circuit. That’s more money than Tiger Woods has won in scholarships during his PGA career.
“The circuit likes to pretend it’s a democracy, but it’s a real dictatorship,” Mickelson reportedly told his biographer. They divide in order to better conquer. The worries of the best players are not the same as those of the players who are fighting to improve their situation, but even the greatest players do not have a say. »
Mickelson would not share the identities of the players he would have recruited or the names of the lawyers involved in the project, but he claims to know up to 20 players ready to make the jump to the Saudi circuit.
“If the PGA doesn’t react to make things better, there’s a good chance that’s what will happen,” he reportedly threatened.
No one has yet signed or announced his departure, but the majority of interested players are rumored to be late-career golfers.