Phil Mickelson announced a few months ago that he would take a break and retire from the public eye. This break already extended over the 2022 Masters, in which he did not participate for the first time in 28 years. The next major is coming up next week: the 2022 PGA Championship. For a long time, it was unclear whether Mickelson would end his hiatus to defend his title at the PGA Championship. Last year, he became the oldest Major winner ever here. Now there is an answer.
PGA Championship: Statement of the PGA of America
On Twitter, the PGA Championship posted the following statement: “We have just been informed that Phil Mickelson has withdrawn his participation in the PGA Championship. Phil is the defending champion and currently eligible to become a lifetime PGA member, and we would have welcomed him to participate. We wish Phil and Amy [ed. note: Phil’s wife] the very best and look forward to his return to golf.”
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 13, 2022
The reason for Mickelson’s hiatus was his involvement in heated controversies between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf Invitational Series created by Greg Norman. In a lengthy statement about his words and actions, Mickelson announced in February 2022, “It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I’m beyond disappointed and will do everything I can to self-reflect and learn from this.”
A Statement from Phil Mickelson pic.twitter.com/2saaXIxhpu
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 22, 2022
Will Phil Mickelson be competing in London?
The first event of the eight-event LIV Golf Invitational Series will be held in London in June. Which golf stars will be part of the starting field has not yet been announced. While a majority of the players have spoken out against participating on the competing tour, a few days ago some players asked for permission from the PGA Tour to participate in the first event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series: Phil Mickelson was one of those players, along with Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia. The PGA Tour rejected the request and threatened with sanctions. Whether Phil Mickelson’s cancellation of the PGA Championship has anything to do with his participation in the controversial “Saudi League” is unclear so far. In the coming weeks, Greg Norman wants to announce the field of participants.