MIAMI,
United States —
Phil Mickelson apologized Tuesday for remarks about the
US PGA Tour and Saudi backers of a proposed rival tour, saying he will
"desperately need some time away" from golf.
اضافة اعلان
The
51-year-old left-hander, winner of six major titles and the reigning PGA
Championship titleholder, also lost long-time sponsor KPMG after issuing a
lengthy apology on Twitter.
Author
Alan Shipnuck released excerpts last week from his upcoming book about
Mickelson, the US star calling the Saudis "scary" with a "horrible
record on human rights".
"Knowing
all of this, why would I even consider it?" Mickelson said about the
potential for joining the Saudi tour.
"Because
this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour
operates," he said.
"They
have been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics
because we, the players, had no recourse."
Mickelson
was quoted as saying he was willing to work with the Saudi Golf League despite
human rights issues because it would provide leverage to create change on the
PGA Tour.
"I
used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or
intentions," Mickelson said Tuesday.
"It
was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words.
I am beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn
from this."
Mickelson
said off-the-record comments were shared out of context and that his actions
"have always been with the best interest of golf".
Rory
McIlroy was among many players who ripped Mickelson for his remarks, with
Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson distancing themselves from the Saudi
league last weekend in the wake of Mickelson's remarks being revealed.
"I
have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the
public," Mickelson said.
"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."
Still,
Mickelson criticized the way the game is being guided – without being specific.
"Golf
desperately needs change, and real change is always preceded by
disruption," Mickelson said in his apology statement.
"I've
always known that criticism would come with exploring anything new. I still
chose to put myself at the forefront of this to inspire change, taking the hits
publicly to do the work behind the scenes."
Three-time
Masters champion Mickelson became the oldest major winner in history last May
at Kiawah Island when he won the PGA at age 50.
'Often
failed myself'
But
he said pressure and stress have worn him down over the past decade and he
needs a break from the tour grind.
"I
have experienced many successful and rewarding moments that I will always
cherish, but I have often failed myself and others too," Mickelson wrote.
"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 prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I
want to be."
Mickelson
said his experience with the Saudi LIV Golf Investments group was "very
positive" and "I apologize for anything I said that was taken out of
context".
He
called those he worked with on the project "visionaries" and
"supportive" people who "share my drive to make the game better".
Regarding
his sponsors and business partners, Mickelson said: "I have given all of
them the option to pause or end the relationship as I understand it might be
necessary given the current circumstances."
A
statement from KPMG said the global audit and tax advisory service and
Mickelson "have mutually agreed to end our sponsorship effective immediately.
We wish him the best".
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