‘Was Catching Their Attention’: Hall of Famer Sides With Phil Mickelson Amid Recent Controversy

Phil Mickelson has been in the limelight in the past week for his shenanigans online. Phil made a public apology on Twitter for his remarks over the Saudi regime and the PGA Tour. However, while he faced criticism for the same, a fellow tour professional has come forward and backed Phil for his comments on the Saudi Golf League.

Phil Mickelson backed by a tour veteran

In the recent Phil Mickelson and Saudi Golf League saga, a lot of revelations have come to the forefront. One such revelation happened in an interview that Phil did with Alan Shipnuck, where he speaks about how the SGL can be used as leverage that can allow changes in the PGA Tour.

However, lefty received severe backlash due to his comments both on the PGA Tour as well as, on the Saudi regime.

May 7, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phil Mickelson after his bogey on 15 during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports/REUTERSNow, a World Golf Hall of Fame member has come forward to back Phil for his comments on the SGL.

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Tony Jacklin, a two-time major championship winner, backed the lefty in an interview with Golfmonthly. He said, “If he was genuinely trying to get the PGA Tour off its backside to do more for the players than they have been doing and found a way to do it, leverage as he calls it, then if that’s what it was, I don’t see a hell of a lot wrong with it.”

He added, “They’ve already come up with umpteen more millions of dollars so what he was doing was catching their attention.” This is with reference to the recently planned initiatives taken by the PGA Tour to increase the purses of the Players Impact Program.

What are the consequences of joining the Saudi Golf League?

The PGA Tour has an upright stance against players associating with the Saudi Golf League. The tour says it will temporarily ban as well as place a lifetime ban on professionals if they associate with the Saudi Golf League. There is a certain probability that even professionals won’t be allowed to participate in the Ryder Cup.

Read more: Is Phil Mickelson Facing a Suspension? PGA Tour Spokesperson Delivers a Blunt Statement

What do you think about Phil’s comments and his following apology? Do you think Tony is right to support Phil? Share your views with us in the comments section below.