Phil Mickelson once again fired a salvo at the PGA Tour for an alleged violation of ‘independent contract law.’ Ryan French of Monday Q Info shared that the Jay Monahan-led Tour has barred Americas Tour players from teeing off in a par-3 league where they stood to earn $25K per match. Per French, the PGA Tour stopped them from teeing off at the innovative Grass League in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is played at night on a par-3 course.

The inaugural event at Grass Clippings brought a host of golfers and celebrities together for the team event. The field included 11 eight-person teams divided into four two-person teams. LPGA pros Lauren Coghlin and Alison Lee, and former tennis icon Mardy Fish, are a few big names that stood out. 

French reported that the PGA Tour threatened players with suspension. Apparently, a host of the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, and the Americas Tour (it was created by merging the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and PGA Tour Canada) wanted to tee off in the team event as there was no entry fee, and they stood to gain $25,000.

But to tee off they needed a media release from the PGA Tour, which never came. “It was pretty well known that if we played, they would make an example out of us,” the report quoted a player as saying. When Phil Mickelson got hold of the facts, he launched a no-holds-barred attack on the PGA Tour. 

The HyFlyers GC captain wrote, “This is a clear violation of independent contract law. I’m so sorry these professionals are continuing to be blackmailed by the Tour. It’s not right and is in fact illegal.” 

For the record, PGA Tour players do not sign a formal contract like LIV golfers. Nevertheless, there are binding agreements. The PGA Tour strictly prohibits players from teeing off in North American tournaments that occur at the same time as the PGA Tour events. This was also the ground used to bar Americas Tour, KFT, and Senior Tour players from signing up for the Grass League. 

If you remember, this was the same ground on which the PGA Tour threatened players with a suspension when the Super Golf League rumors started circulating in 2019-20. And this is also why Phil Mickelson launched a blistering attack on the Tour and its policies last year. 

Phil Mickelson claimed the PGA Tour ‘strong-arms’ players

Mickelson’s recent response was reminiscent of the time he attacked the PGA Tour for strong-arming players. The six-time major winner’s relationship with PGA Tour Commissioner has soured after the former joined LIV Golf. Mickelson was part of a group that initiated the move, and the Tour was swift to impose a strict ban on them. 

“In addition to strong-arming LIV players, losing trust with his players, and losing all credibility with his staff, golf is in this situation entirely because of him [Jay Monahan]. There’s no unity or path forward with him involved in my opinion as well,” wrote the 45-time PGA Tour winner in a tweet last year. 

The latest move from the Ponte Vedra-HQ player has vexed Phil Mickelson again. And he isn’t alone. The Americas Tour players are infuriated as well, as the $25K was a lucrative opportunity for the players, most of whom don’t break even thanks to the lesser purse size in the feeder Tour.

Strangely enough, the Tour did grant permission (media release) to some of its senior tour players. However, they changed the decision on a whim. A section of the Americas Tour players was in discussion with the Tour officials for a possible release. But eventually, they understood that should they violate the rule, they would be made an example of. 

Currently, the PGA Tour’s Hero World Challenge is going on in the Bahamas. While that might be a reason to restrict KFT and Senior Tour players, stopping Americas Tour pros has baffled most. “I’m running out of money—we all are. And I can’t play in a par-3 event where I could win $25,000,” one player was quoted as saying by Monday Q Info.

Another sarcastically quipped, “We are independent contractors when they see fit, and we are employees when they see fit.” Jay Monahan has faced mounting criticism from fans and players alike. Recently, his $23M yearly compensation—approved by the board—raised eyebrows. On top of it, the 2026 overhauls—restricting field size and reducing Monday qualifiers—haven’t sat well with many. The recent move to ban America’s Tour players is likely to be another blemish on Monahan’s already-tattered legacy.