Phil Mickelso n has announced he is taking a break from golf after apologising for ‘reckless’ comments he made surrounding the controversial Saudi Super League.
Mickelson was the man at the centre of the controversy last week, after comments from a soon to be released biography on the golf star, 'Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar' were revealed.
The six-time major golf champion described the Saudi state as ‘scary motherf*****s’ due to their country's human rights issues, but admitted he was still weighing up the switch in order to gain leverage on the PGA Tour.
When commenting on the Saudi-backed series, Mickelson said: "They’re scary motherf*****s to get involved with."
He added: "They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”
This came just weeks after the American took a personal attack upon the Tour he had spent nearly all of his professional career on, accusing the US-based circuit of ‘obnoxious greed’.
Following his recent pledge to the Super League and feud with the PGA Tour, Mickelson has released a statement in which he apologises and admits he ‘seriously regrets’ his choice of words.
In an apology published on his social media accounts he said: "I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions.
"It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I'm beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.
"I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the public. My intent was never to hurt anyone and I'm so sorry to the people I have negatively impacted.
"This has always been about supporting the players and the game and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of the doubt."
Despite the apology the 51-year-old did reveal that his link up with LIV Golf Investments - a Saudi-backed company funding the series - was ‘positive’, and was done to ‘make the game better’.
He continued: "My Experience with LIV Investments has been very positive. I apologise for anything I said that was taken out of context…
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"More importantly they passionately love golf and share my drive to make the game better. They have a clear plan to create an updated and positive experience for everyone including players, sponsors, networks and fans.”
In the statement the American also revealed that he would now take some time away from golf due to recent ‘pressures’ and ‘stress’.
"The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level.
"I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritise the ones I love most, and work on being the man I want to be."
Mickelson openly said he would respect any decision from his sponsors to part ways from their agreement following the controversy, and service network company KPMG have been the first to end their relationship.
The American’s long-term partner revealed in a statement: “KPMG and Phil Mickelson have mutually agreed to end our sponsorship effective immediately. We wish him the best.”
