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Phil Mickelson's bombshell move amid $3 billion golf controversy

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·3-min read
Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson at the PIF Saudi International in February. (Photo by Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images)
Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson at the PIF Saudi International in February. (Photo by Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images) (WME IMG via Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson has signed up for the PGA Championship and US Open while also requesting a release from the PGA Tour to play in the first event of a lucrative Saudi-backed golf league in June.

Mickelson's management company confirmed in a statement on Monday that the 51-year-old six-time major winner was seeking approval to play in the June 9-11 LIV Golf Invitational outside London - but stressed he had not yet confirmed his participation.

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The former World No.1 hasn't played since sparking outrage in February following publication of his remarks made last year to author Alan Shipnuck concerning the new Saudi-funded venture.

Mickelson described the Saudi financial backers of the proposed league as "scary" with a "horrible record on human rights", but said he was willing to deal with them in order to gain leverage to "reshape" the US PGA Tour.

He later apologised and stepped away from the PGA Tour, even skipping the Masters at Augusta.

"Our client Phil Mickelson is officially registered to play in the PGA Championship as well as the US Open," long-time manager Steve Loy of Sportfive said on Monday.

"We have also filed a request on his behalf for a release to play in the first LIV Golf Invitational in London, June 9-11.

"This request complies with the deadline of April 25 set forth by the PGA Tour to compete in a conflicting tour event.

"Phil currently has no concrete plans on when and where he will play.

"Any actions taken are in no way a reflection of a final decision made, but rather to keep all options open."

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Monday was the deadline for players to ask for a conflicting event release from the PGA Tour to play in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational.

The controversial league will offer purses of $25 million per tournament - making every leg of the series more lucrative than the richest event on the PGA Tour.

Headed by Australian legend Greg Norman, the LIV will hand out roughly more than double the prize money on offer for each of golf's four majors and reportedly has a war chest of $3 billion to lure players away from the PGA Tour.

The UK Telegraph reported on Monday that European Ryder Cup stars Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are all considering playing in the event.

Phil Mickelson, pictured here in action at the PIF Saudi International.
Phil Mickelson in action at the PIF Saudi International. (Photo by Luke Walker/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images) (Luke Walker/WME IMG via Getty Images)

Norman has said the rival league he envisioned will be put on hold until 2024.

Instead, he said players could sign up for any of the eight tournaments for his LIV Golf Invitational series.

Robert Garrigus, the World No.1053, is among those who have asked for a release with hopes of playing.

Several future LIV Golf events are scheduled for the United States, but PGA Tour bye-laws state that its members cannot play in a conflicting event in North America.

The season-ending LIV Golf team championship, in which 12 four-man teams compete for a $50 million purse, is scheduled for October 27-30 at former PGA Tour stop Trump National Doral Miami.

with agencies

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