Legendary Golfer Defends Phil Mickelson From Public Bashing: ‘The Greatest PR Man on the Golf Tour’

Gary Player has finally broken the silence on the whole Phil Mickelson controversy. He defended the left-handed golfer as Phil received a backlash from the public as he criticized the PGA Tour. Gary offered his thoughts on Phil’s absence from the 86th edition of the Masters. 

Meanwhile, the 86-year-old South African was at the Augusta National for the ceremonial tee shot. Gary, along with Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, played the inaugural tee shots and started the 86th edition of the Masters. However, just after the ceremonial tee shot, Gary Player revealed his thoughts about Phil’s recent controversy. 

“I think we live in a time now when we are such a judgemental society, a litigious society, a critical society, where people get crucified,” said Player. “The greatest PR man on the golf Tour in the last five or X amount of years has been Phil Mickelson. He has been the ideal man for a sponsor, for professional golf, for the public. The way he has handled the public with dignity and with love,” concluded Gary. 

Phil Mickelson has taken a break from golf

The 51-year-old Phil Mickelson is taking a break from golf after his comments about the PGA Tour went viral. He criticized the PGA Tour and backed the rival Saudi Golf League, for which he faced a lot of heat from fans. Moreover, the six-time major championship winner has lost most of his sponsors as giant companies like KPMG and Callaway golf paused their partnership. 

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Hence, after all this uproar, Phil issued an apology on his social media platforms. However, most of the fans felt the apology wasn’t up to the mark. Therefore, once again, he faced trolling from fans, and hence, he decided to take an indefinite break from golf. 

Indefinite because Phil hasn’t revealed anything about his future plans or the timeline of his break. However, most of the fans thought Mickelson will compete at the Masters. But, to everyone’s surprise, he opted out of this year’s first major championship for the first time since 1995. 

Moreover, there weren’t many golfers who came out in support of the 2021 PGA Championship winner. Hence, these comments from a golfer like Gary Player will give him some comfort. 

But what do you think about Gary Player’s comments on Phil Mickelson? Do let us know in the comments section.  

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