Just In: Phil Mickelson Makes a Drastic Decision Ahead of the 150th Open Championship

The 2022 Open Championship will begin in less than a week. And like the Masters, the R&A has some traditions that they celebrate every year for the past champions. Although the LIV Golf player Phil Mickelson is a former champion and is allowed to attend the events, he has chosen not to! 

According to NUCLR Golf, the 2013 Open Championship winner has revealed his intention not to be a part of the R&A traditions this week. 

Champions’ dinner and the Celebration of Champions are two traditions the R&A has been celebrating every year to celebrate the past champions. The dinner is for the past champions. However, the 150th Open’s Celebration of Champions will be packed with champions of the events like the Open, women’s Majors, male and female amateur champions, and golfers with disability champions.

Is Phil Mickelson missing the R&A traditions for his LIV Golf CEO? 

Mickelson had won the 2013 Open Championship and thus will get to be a part of the Open traditions. However, reportedly, he will not attend the events! 

Notably, Mickelson‘s announcement came right after the R&A disinvited the LIV Golf CEO, Greg Norman, from the champions’ dinner. The officials also revealed that he wouldn’t also be part of the Celebration of Champions event on Monday. 

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“The 150th Open is an extremely important milestone for golf, and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the Championship and its heritage,” R&A’s statement read. “Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend. We hope that when circumstances allow, Greg will be able to attend again in the future.”

The Old Course will be packed with stars on Monday for its yearly tradition

Mickelson will miss the Celebration of the Champions event. However, considering the golfers playing in the event, his absence will be an issue. 

As the defending champion,  Collin Morikawa will tee up at the Old Course, St. Andrews, on Monday for the event. AIG Women’s Open champion Anna Nordqvist, Women’s Amateur champion Jess Baker, and Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Keita Nakajima will play alongside him. Players like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and the 2018 Women’s British Open champion Georgia Hall will also be part of the field.

Mickelson’s fans will miss their favorite golfer at the Open tradition events. However, he will play in the major competition from July 14. Do you think the 2013 Open champion will be missed at the Old Course on Monday?

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