Connect with us

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson responds to criticism after ditching Phoenix Open for Saudi International

Published

on

Phil Mickelson felt the wrath of many golf fans on Monday after the 49-year-old announced that he would be skipping the Phoenix Open in 2020 to instead play in the Saudi International.

Mickelson has been ever-present at the Phoenix Open since turning pro, and now joins a growing list which includes the likes of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Tony Finau, Henrik Stenson and Patrick Reed who are reported to be receiving up to seven-figure appearance fees for their participation at the Middle East event.

The controversy surrounding players involvement at the event boils down to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the government’s alleged involvement in the murder of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi back in 2018. In 2019, both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy snubbed invites to the event, despite reportedly being offered over $3 million to play.

In a statement confirming his entrance in the 2020 event, Mickelson cited an urge to do his bit to “grow the game in the Kingdom”.

“I am really looking forward to playing in Saudi Arabia in January. I watched Dustin win the title last year and thought the course looked like an interesting challenge. I have enjoyed my previous visits to the Middle East (the last being in Abu Dhabi five years ago) and am looking forward to playing in a new country and doing my bit to grow the game in the Kingdom.”

However, many golf fans on social media weren’t buying those reasons from Mickelson. Those fans vented their views to the five-time major champion, accusing him of taking a cash grab and turning a blind eye to the human rights record of the country.

@apbode

@golftildeth

@jjhuntvillage

 

Those reactions provoked Mickelson to defend his decision, offering this response to the critics.

@philmickelson

The discussion didn’t end there, however, with The Guardian journalist Ewan Murray and Mickelson involved in an evening quarrel, the former of which wasn’t pulling any punches in his criticism of the 49-year-old’s decision to play the event.

@philmickelson & @mrewanmurray

What do you think of Mickelson’s decision to tee it up at next year’s Saudi International, WRXers?

Your Reaction?
  • 11
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW1
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP3
  • OB2
  • SHANK61

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

Published

on

On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT2
  • WOW0
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

Published

on

While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 19
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW2
  • LOL4
  • IDHT2
  • FLOP3
  • OB0
  • SHANK26

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

Published

on

While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT7
  • WOW1
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK3

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending