PGA Tour Shockingly Strips Phil Mickelson Off a Special Status

Will the controversial comments about the Saudi-backed Golf League be the end of the legacy of Phil Mickelson? After multiple sponsors dropped their contract with the golfer, PGA Tour, too, has begun to take measures to cut ties with him.

According to the Desert Sun, PGA Tour has confirmed that Mickelson will no longer serve as the host of the American Express event. He has been serving as its host since 2020. Mickelson was the 4th PGA Tour player ever to host the American Express event. Before him, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer had the honor to do it.

The source also confirmed that the Tour is also dropping Mickelson Foundation as their charitable arm. The Mickelson Foundation was formed in 2019 solely for being a part of the American Express event. The Foundation raised $1 million in the first year after they became the host.

The controversial comment that is destroying the career of Phil Mickelson

From the beginning, Mickelson was one of the top players to show interest in the rival League of the PGA Tour. While the other golfers, one-by-one, disclosed their decision to show allegiance to the Tour, Lefty hasn’t revealed his decision. 

However, a phone excerpt of the golfer, published online, revealed the true intentions behind his support of the League. According to him, the government that supports the League is dangerous. He said, “They are scary moth**f*ckers to get involved with.” Yet, he backs them to reshape the Tour. 

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Even though Lefty apologized for his controversial remarks about the Saudi League, the damage has already been done. Starting with KPMG, the golfer lost the sponsorships from different brands, including Amstel Light and Workday. 

The legacy of Lefty

Mickelson turned pro in 1992 and soon after joined the PGA Tour. He has won 45 PGA Tour Championship titles, including 6 majors. Recently, he created history by winning the PGA Championship in 2021; he became the oldest to win a major. Mickelson had also won four titles on the PGA Tour Champions events. 

Apart from his PGA career, Lefty has won 7 more championships worldwide. He has represented his country on several occasions, including the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, and World Amateur Team Championship. 

The legacy Phil created over the past 30 years has been wrecked in a blink of an eye. What do you think the future holds for the 51-year-old? Do you think he would be able to get out of this issue without damaging more than it already did?

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