Phil fights his case

LONDON. − Phil Mickelson refused to deny that he has been banned by the PGA Tour on the eve of playing in the world’s most lucrative golf event.

The Centurion Club, near London, is this week hosting a Saudi-funded $25m invitational tournament, the first of eight worth a cumulative $255m (£200m).

Six-time major winner Mickelson, who in February made “reckless” comments about Saudi Arabia’s regime, is ending a four-month self-imposed exile to play.

“I’m learning lessons,” said Mickelson.

“I would be speaking on a PGA Tour matter publicly, which I choose not to do at this time.”

He added: “I’ve enjoyed my time on the PGA Tour and I have strong opinions on what could and should be done a lot better, but I will make an effort to keep those conversations behind closed doors.

The PGA Tour has threatened bans for any of its members that play in the LIV Golf events. It is expected that any sanctions to be meted out will only be made public after the players tee off today.

The 51-year-old American also refused to confirm reports that he is being paid US$200m to play in the LIV Golf events, but also hinted it could be true.

Before this week, Mickelson last played in the Asian Tour’s Saudi International in King Abdullah Economic City, along with many other PGA Tour players.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which was the title sponsor of that event, is bankrolling the LIV Golf Invitational Series to the tune of $255m (£200m) in prize money. It is fronted by former world number one Greg Norman, who intends to turn it into a 14-event league by 2024, backed by a further £1.6bn of PIF money.

However, two-time major champion Norman, 67, was criticised last month when he said “we’ve all made mistakes” after being asked about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record while promoting the series.

Mickelson lost multiple sponsors and saw his reputation tarnished after he criticised the Saudi regime, yet sought to use involvement with the series to gain leverage over the PGA Tour.

However, he said he intends to play in next week’s US Open and the United States Golf Association, which runs the major, has said it will not stop those competing in the LIV event from playing at Brookline, Massachusetts. – BBC Sport.