Phil Mickelson has never been one to bite his tongue. But when his unfiltered comments about LIV Golf and Saudi Arabia exploded into public view last year, the backlash was swift, brutal, and unforgiving. Once a fan favorite and a proud PGA Tour icon, Mickelson suddenly found himself at the center of golf’s most controversial civil war.
Now, as the dust settles, Mickelson is doing what he can to mend fences—but is it too little, too late?
Mickelson’s Explosive Comments: The Moment That Changed Everything
It all started with an earth-shattering interview with golf writer Alan Shipnuck, in which Mickelson ripped into the Saudi regime behind LIV Golf. His words weren’t just critical—they were incendiary.
“They’re scary mother**** to get involved with.”**
That one sentence set the golf world ablaze. Mickelson acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses and questioned whether partnering with the controversial regime was the right move. Yet, in the same breath, he endorsed LIV Golf as an opportunity to reshape the PGA Tour, suggesting the breakaway league could force change within golf’s establishment.
The fallout was immediate. Players distanced themselves. Fans turned against him. The PGA Tour, which once championed Mickelson as one of its greatest stars, suddenly found itself at war with one of its own legends.
Mickelson’s Attempt at Damage Control
Realizing the firestorm he had ignited, Mickelson issued a formal apology, attempting to soften the impact of his own words.
“I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions. It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words.”
Mickelson’s mea culpa was a stunning reversal, a moment of self-reflection from a man who has spent decades being one of the sport’s most outspoken figures.
But was it enough?
A Surprising Defense of LIV Golf
Despite his controversial remarks, Mickelson didn’t back down from his belief that LIV Golf had the potential to change the game for the better. He praised LIV Golf Investments and its leadership, calling them “visionaries” and crediting them with a passion for growing the sport.
“The specific people I have worked with are visionaries and have only been supportive. More importantly, they passionately love golf and share my drive to make the game better.”
Mickelson’s stance—criticizing the politics behind LIV Golf while simultaneously endorsing its impact on golf’s business model—was a bold, if not contradictory, approach.
While many saw LIV Golf as a Saudi sportswashing tool, Mickelson saw an opportunity—a disruptor that could challenge the PGA Tour’s stronghold on the game. It was a high-risk gamble, one that alienated many of his peers.
Mickelson’s Self-Imposed Exile: Was It Worth It?
The backlash forced Mickelson into an uncharacteristic retreat. Gone were his confident smirks and bold proclamations—Lefty went silent. He withdrew from the Masters and PGA Championship, taking a self-imposed exile to “prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.”
For a player who thrived in the spotlight, Mickelson’s absence was jarring. But even after returning, it was clear that he was no longer the same Phil Mickelson. His reputation had taken a permanent hit, and the golf world was now divided into two camps—those who still supported him and those who viewed him as a sellout.
What’s Next for Mickelson?
Now, several years removed from the initial controversy, Mickelson’s standing in the game remains complicated. LIV Golf has survived the initial storm, and Mickelson is still one of its most recognizable faces. But has he gained more than he’s lost?
The PGA Tour remains the sport’s premier circuit. The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship—these are the tournaments that define a golfer’s legacy. Mickelson, once a staple of these events, now finds himself in an entirely different world.
He once dreamed of reshaping golf. Instead, he may have reshaped his own legacy, permanently altering how history will remember him.
Was it all worth it? Only time will tell.
