Mickelson’s exit from The Masters 

Three-time winner, Phil Mickelson has now been listed as a ‘past champion not playing’ on the Masters' website indicating that for the first time in 28 years, Mickelson will not be a part of the world-famous tournament.

The 51-year, who has not played since the Saudi International tournament, is taking a break from golf after having a fall-out about his comments on the PGA tour and a potential Saudi-backed rival circuit.

He made his Masters debut in 1991 and went on to win the green jacket three times in 2004, 2006 and 2010. Having apologised for his comments about a proposed Saudi-backed breakaway, Mickelson decided to take a break as he mentioned that he wants to focus on being the man that he wants to be.

The ‘reckless’ comments came from an unauthorised biography on Mickelson by Alan Shipnuck where experts about the Golfer’s take on Saudis was made known. Mickelson has been quoted calling the Saudis ‘scary’, although he is willing to move beyond their past human rights record to gain leverage with the PGA tour. 

Ever since these comments were made public, Mickelson lost several sponsors while the government of Saudi Arabia denied accusations of human rights abuses. Mickelson also apologised for his comments and claimed that they were made off the record.

Norman welcomes Mickelson to the Saudi-backed series

Australian entrepreneur Greg Norman has admitted that it is going to take a considerable amount of time to bring in star players to the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series. Norman also insists that Mickelson will be more than welcome to compete in the events. 

While Norman mentioned that Mickelson did make a mistake with his comments on both Saudi Arabia and the PGA tour, he added that he feels sorry for him and thus welcomed him to the series.

The new Golf Super League is backed by Norman’s LIV Golf Investments company and will begin in the United Kingdom with the richest golf events in history. The event will move across three continents spread across a five-month period and Norman will be sending letters to all of the World’s top 250.

Norman went on to describe the event’s scheduling as a way of providing opportunities for players as they get to have a choice about where to play. He says one has to allow individuals and players to have a choice and we are merely providing them with one. 

If they wish not to come, there is nothing wrong about it and there’s no stopping them, Norman added. The cash-rich event will use several courses with the Trump National in New Jersey is one among them. While the event has already ended up in a lot of controversies, it seems to carry forward and is ready for scheduling. 

While talking about the event, Norman made several mentions to Mickelson insisting that there isn’t a person who hasn’t said something they wish they could take back. He also mentioned that the door is always open for him.