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‘It was reckless’ – Mickelson posts apology for ‘off record’ Saudi remarks; KPMG and Phil split
On Tuesday, Phil Mickelson made a lengthy apology for comments that he made regarding the Saudi Golf League that had recently gone viral.
The comments were made to journalist Alan Shipnuck, who shared them last week ahead of the release of his unauthorised biography of Mickelson, with Lefty allegedly saying he used the Saudi project as leverage against the PGA Tour.
In a statement released today, Mickelson wrote:
A Statement from Phil Mickelson pic.twitter.com/2saaXIxhpu
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 22, 2022
“Although it doesn’t look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans.
There is the problem of off record comments being shared out of context and without my consent. but the bigger issue is that I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions.
It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I’m beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.
Golf desperately needs change, and real change is always preceded by disruption. I have 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.
My experience with LIV Golf Investments has been very positive, I apologize for anything I said that was taken out of context.
The specific people I have worked with are visionaries and have only been supportive. More importantly they passionately love golf and share my drive to make the game better.
They have a clear plan to create an updated positive experience for everyone including players, sponsors, networks and fans.
The last thing I would ever want to do is compromise them or their business in any way, and I have given all of them the option to puase or end relationships as I understand it might be necesarry given the current circumstances.
I believe in these people and companies in these people and companies and will always be here for them with or without a contract.
I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the public.
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.
Despite my belief that some changes have already been made within the overall discourse, I know I need to be accountable.
For the past 31 years I have lived a very public life and I have strived to live up to my own expectations, be the role model the fans deserve, and be someone that inspires others.
I’ve worked to compete at the highest level, be available to media, represent my sponsors with integrity, engage with volunteers and sign every autograph for my incredible fans.
I have experienced many successful rewarding moments I will always cherish, but I have often failed myself and others too.
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.”
I have incredible partners, and these relationships mean so much more to me than a contract.
Many have been my most influential mentors and I consider all to be lifelong friends.”
Amy Rogers of Golf Channel broke the news on Tuesday evening that sponsor KPMG and Mickelson had mutually agreed to part ways tweeting:
Received the statement below from @KPMG_US confirming that they have ended their longtime partnership with Phil Mickelson. pic.twitter.com/ASytnF1Atb
— Amy Rogers (@TheAmyRogers) February 22, 2022
In response to Mickelson’s apology, Shipnuck has refuted Lefty’s claims that the comments were made off the record:
The 'off the record' piece of this is completely false and I'll have more to say on that shortly. https://t.co/7cogbJlneK
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) February 22, 2022
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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
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Tommy Fleetwood has been attached to his Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 putter for years now. However, this week at the Wells Fargo Championship, we did spot him testing a new putter that is very different, yet somewhat similar, to his current gamer.
This new putter is a TaylorMade Spider Tour X head but with a brand new neck we haven’t seen on a Spider before. A flow neck is attached to the Spider head and gives the putter about a 1/2 shaft offset. This style neck will usually increase the toe hang of the putter and we can guess it gets the putter close to his White Hot Pro #3.
Another interesting design is that lack of TaylorMade’s True Path alignment on the top of the putter. Instead of the large white center stripe, Tommy’s Spider just has a very short white site line milled into it. As with his Odyssey, Tommy seems to be a fan of soft inserts and this Spider prototype looks to have the TPU Pure Roll insert with 45° grooves for immediate topspin and less hopping and skidding.
The sole is interesting as well in that the rear weights don’t look to be interchangeable and are recessed deep into the ports. This setup could be used to push the CG forward in the putter for a more blade-like feel during the stroke, like TaylorMade did with the Spider X Proto Scottie Scheffler tested out.
Tommy’s putter is finished off with an older Super Stroke Mid Slim 2.0 grip in blue and white. The Mid Slim was designed to fit in between the Ultra Slim 1.0 and the Slim 3.0 that was a popular grip on tour.
- Check out the rest of our photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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Pingback: ‘I think he hurt the game of golf’ – Greg Norman on Mickelson’s Saudi comments – GolfWRX
Henry R Fitzgerald
Feb 28, 2022 at 7:42 pm
Shipnuck? Another media hack.
Henry R Fitzgerald
Feb 28, 2022 at 7:40 pm
Phil exposed the PGA Tour Mafia and now the Boss Monahan and his little millionaire Capos are piling on Phil.
The PGA Tour is going to need good lawyers because they are going to get hammer with antitrust lawsuits.
Why is the PGA Tour afraid of? Nobody is going to take their right of saving tee times honoring convicted wife beaters or crackhead, like George Floyd.
geohogan
Feb 26, 2022 at 11:28 pm
Now that Phil is loosing all his sponsors, his USA income: KPMG, Barclays, Callaway?, Exxon? Amgen? …..
Is move to Saudi a forgone conclusion.
geohogan
Feb 25, 2022 at 12:56 pm
“(The PGA Tour’s) brought millions and millions of dollars to communities, it’s brought great competition, great television,” Nicklaus said. “Why would I not support that? Instead, I’m going to go support for my own benefit, see 40 guys break away from the PGA Tour at the whim of an advertising agency in Saudi Arabia?
so says the G.O.A.T.
Speedy
Feb 24, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Phil, Greg, Tiger off into the sunset.
Jack Nash
Feb 24, 2022 at 8:48 am
Looking in the wrong direction with Phil here. It’s all about revenge for Norman and rightly so. When he was at the top of the heap he suggested to the top brass about Tourneys for the top golfers with big cash payouts. The PGA said get lost and life moved on. Then shortly after Tiger arrived the WGC events started(1999) with the “Top Golfers” and Big Cash” prizes. Seemed that’s what Norman suggested years prior, so Any chance he gets to take a jab at the PGA he will. The new League would feature big cash payouts and even “Team” events which the viewers seem to be clamoring for. The League won’t likely get off the ground but guess what? The PGA has initiated bigger cash payouts, and go figure some “Team” events scheduled this fall. Who woulda thunk it that the PGA was that forward thinking. All they needed to be was pressured. So maybe Phil wasn’t that wrong? As for demonizing the country the league is started from, maybe some of the pros And PGA should see what’s happening with NBA pros and their, lets say equipment brands, and where they’re made? You see a lot of swoosh’s out there.
Pingback: Things somehow just got worse (and a bit more embarrassing) for Phil Mickelson – GolfWRX
Professor
Feb 24, 2022 at 1:41 am
So, apparently, Phil called Shipnuck last fall (2021) and just started talking about LIV and the Saudi League. It all comes out and Phil tries to say it was off the record?’ C’mon man! And then, Phil calls Shipnuck last week and tries to backtrack saying it was off the record. But at the end of the day this is Phil being Phil. We all saw this coming when he threw Tom Watson under the bus after the Ryder Cup loss. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but Tom Watson didn’t hit a shot in that Ryder Cup did he? This was just arrogance gone unchecked. But on a serious note, is Phil going to be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life? He was right about the Saudis being scary @$&*%^s. They do kill people.
Michael
Feb 23, 2022 at 8:33 pm
Gambling Phil has relapsed. Kept doubling down with his mouth and ego and lost.
The final chapter of your career pretty much rewrites the others with people who thought they knew you.
Speedy
Feb 23, 2022 at 5:33 pm
SGL, Norman, Mickelson, Trump golf courses seem a bad mix.
Regarding occasional world tour or super golf league chatter over the years, Norman seems ready to fail again.
geohogan
Feb 25, 2022 at 12:52 pm
MBS, Trump, Mickelson, Norman…..Narcissists are US
Mike Culp
Feb 23, 2022 at 4:11 pm
It seems to me there are several people on here that have never said or done something that they wish they hadn’t.
geohogan
Feb 25, 2022 at 1:00 pm
No worries…MC. Its “off the record”.. boot licker
geohogan
Feb 23, 2022 at 9:44 am
Phil didnt intend to reveal, one more time, how self serving
an A hole he is and has always been.
Ted
Feb 23, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Kiss up to evil for paper you don’t need. Check
Get criticized in twitter for kissing up and insatiable greed. Check
Get triggered. Check
Go on twitter ban binge. Check
Still get criticized for kissing up and censoring. Check
Fake damage control deflecting blame. Check
Ruining your product and reputation. Check
Just don’t come back Phil. Done.
Tony Rocket
Feb 23, 2022 at 9:20 am
Golf Channel are doing their bidding for the PGA tour. Talk about throwing someone under the bus. It is quite clear the tour is afraid of competition, much like every crony corporation these days. It’s quite rich that the tour and OEMS care so much about human rights while being in bed with China. What a joke?
Tom
Feb 23, 2022 at 11:23 am
Yes. Such a joke that some think they must choose one evil or the other evil.
Professor
Feb 24, 2022 at 1:55 am
Are you saying Golf Channel is throwing Phil under the bus because they’re reporting this story? I’m sorry friend but Phil has done a pretty good job of that all on his own. Again…
Henry R Fitzgerald
Feb 23, 2022 at 12:21 am
Wow, I see the GWRX wokesters are deleting posts, lol….
joe
Feb 23, 2022 at 1:07 pm
dumb posts should be deleted. time to marginalize the cray cray. you’ve had your few years of blurting out insanity
Henry R Fitzgerald
Feb 22, 2022 at 9:32 pm
What a goof! I have no respect for Mickelson.
A man who can’t stand by his convictions for a dollar is not a man worth listening to.
I could care less what happens to this coward.
Gerald R Henry
Feb 23, 2022 at 1:19 am
You won’t do %$#@
toyzrx
Feb 22, 2022 at 6:51 pm
Gotta love Phil though for always being authentic and wild, coming back across from 2 fairways over trying to make a great save.
Paul Runyan
Feb 22, 2022 at 6:42 pm
I think there are slightly more import things to be concerned about other than a narcissist golfer…
geohogan
Feb 27, 2022 at 8:58 am
@PR; like concern about narcissist leader(s)
“So Putin is now saying, ‘It’s independent,’ a large section of Ukraine,” Trump continued. “I said, ‘How smart is that?’ And he’s going to go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s the strongest peace force. We could use that on our southern border. That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen.”
He then called Putin a “very savvy” person whom he claimed to know “very, very well.”
Tom
Feb 22, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Too late Phil. You should have done the math first. It takes 10 years to build trust and 10 seconds to destroy it.
Good bye.