(Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-Rae) ○ … The “oldest major champion” Phil Mickelson (United States, photo) will not participate in the players’ championship, known as “5th major”.
The PGA Tour has announced the list of players participating in the The Players of this year on the 5th (Korea). Among the players classified in the top 50 in the world ranking, two players were absent: Harris English (USA), 18th, and Mickelson, 42nd. This is the third time that Mickelson has missed the players’ championship after 1994 due to a leg injury and 2003 at the birth of his second daughter. The Englishman has not contributed since mid-January due to a back injury.
Mickelson openly criticized its PGA “at home” Tour while supporting the Super Golf League (SGL) of the Saudi public investment fund (PIF). Just after having participated in the Saudi International of the Asian tour on the 6th of the last month, he said: “The greed of the PGA Tour is disgusting” and criticized: “The PGA Tour does not correctly distribute money to the players.” However, Mickelson’s remarks sparked other players’ backlash, the tour and initiates of the golf industry.
Mickelson apologized, saying: “There were inappropriate expressions”, but sponsors such as KPMG, Workday and Amstel ended their contracts. American Express has also announced that he would no longer associate with the Mickelson Foundation from the 2023 tournament. Even Callaway, the equipment company that has sponsored Mickelson since 2004, temporarily suspended its sponsorship. This year’s players’ championship will be held over four days from the 10th at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the United States.
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