PGA CEO Provides a Crucial Update on Phil Mickelson’s Title Defense at Southern Hills

There is nothing in this world that cannot be changed with time. Last year, the now 51-year-old Phil Mickelson surprised everyone with his win at the PGA Championship. However, this year, it is still not sure whether he will play at the event to defend his title or not. 

“I think the whole thing is sad,” Seth Waugh, the CEO of PGA of America since 2018, said. He talked about Mickelson’s attendance at the upcoming PGA Championship at the Southern Hills on the 5 Clubs podcast. “It’s sad for Phil,” he added. “It’s sad for the game.” 

The 6-time major winner golfer has been away from the cameras since his comments about the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series got published. He had called out the authority of the league in the article. Furthermore, he even made comments on the PGA Tour and its commissioner in the interview. 

Subsequently, Mickelson issued an apology letter through his social media where he apologized for his comments about the Saudi- backed League. “I know I have not been my best,” he further added in the letter of apology. “And desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most.” 

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True to his words, the golfer hasn’t attended an event since then. Notably, Mickelson didn’t take part in the 2022 Masters Tournament for the first time in 28 years. The 2012 Hall of Famer had won six majors in his career, in which three of them were at the Augusta National. 

PGA CEO to let Phil Mickelson play at the 2022 PGA Championship?

“He’s gotta decide where he wants to be,” Seth Waugh said about Mickelson’s possible comeback at the PGA Championship. “Does he want to be part of the eco-system or change the eco system,” he added. 

According to Waugh, both Mickelson and the game are trying to figure out which time is best for his comeback. “I think it will be a late decision,” he further added. “And I think, you know… we will continue to have conversations.” 

The PGA CEO admitted that both golfer and the Tour are discussing his comeback topic. However, Mickelson has already registered to play at the PGA Championship. Furthermore, he has also applied for a release from the PGA Tour to be able to play at the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

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Do you think Phil Mickelson will play at the Southern Hills for the Tour’s upcoming major event? Or will he only play at the LIV Golf Series?