Six-time Major winner Phil Mickelson is consistently known for being in controversies related to the sport and its events. The 51-year-old golfer is also amongst the world’s highest-paid athletes.

Mickelson recently skipped the Masters, an event he won in 1994 for the first time, and collected two more victories since. He was taking time off golf due to his controversial comments about the PGA tour which were published in a biography written by Alan Shipnuck.

Phil Mickelson withdraws from the PGA Championship

The PGA of America recently announced that the three-time Masters winner has stepped back and withdrawn from the PGA Championship. The statement said, “We have just been informed that Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the PGA Championship,”.

It further said, “Phil is the defending champion and currently eligible to be a PGA Life Member and we would have welcomed him to participate. We wish Phil and [wife] Amy the very best and look forward to his return to golf.”

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods has opted not to participate in the Memorial Tournament alongside Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas.

Mickelson calls the PGA Tour “greedy”

Mickelson came into the limelight recently for the controversial comments he made about the PGA Tour calling it “greedy”. Phil said in an off-camera conversation, “They’re scary motherf—ers to get involved with.”

He added, “They killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”

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It was not long before that Mickelson apologized for his statement along with a long explanation. He also claimed that people had used his statements without his consent or authorization.

Phil’s decision does not surprise Charley Hoffman

Charley Hoffman, a PGA Tour pro from San Diego, is one of Mickelson’s dearest friends. He said that it would be a surprise for him if the 51-year-old played in the Southern Hills.

Hoffman clearly said, “I think mentally Phil is probably in a really good space right now, to be honest with you.”

He then added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t play. I don’t know if he wants to deal with [the media]. He’s done it his whole life. I think he has enough respect for the game that he will play, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t. I don’t think he wants to deal with it.”

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