19th Hole
Phil Mickelson bizarrely claims that he never did infamous interview with Alan Shipnuck
In February 2022, the idea of LIV Golf was taking hold and causing many waves throughout the golf status quo. And then came Phil.
Just before the publishing day of journalist Alan Shipnuck’s unauthorized biography of the six-time major winner, the Fire Pit Collective contributor released a column entitled, “The Truth About Phil Mickelson and Saudi Arabia,” in which the author revealed details of a telephone conversation between the two a few months previously.
In it, Shipnuck reveals a few of the issues that were spoken about – the “opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates,” and the control that the tour had on media rights. “We played those shots, we created those moments, we should be the ones to profit. The Tour doesn’t need that money,” Shipnuck reports Mickelson to have said, “They are already sitting on an $800 million cash stockpile.”
During that infamous conversation, it is said that Phil called Saudi Arabia, “scary motherf*ckers to deal with,” and that, ” I’m not sure I even want [the SGL] to succeed, but just the idea of it is allowing us to get things done with the [PGA] Tour.”
Just a few days later, Mickelson took to social media to apologize for his comments, eventually takinng a self-imposed sabbatical from the game, withdrawing from both The Masters and the PGA Championship, an event he would have defended as the oldest major champion on record.
A Statement from Phil Mickelson pic.twitter.com/2saaXIxhpu
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 22, 2022
Golf has come a long way since.
In August, the PGA Tour announced several enhancements to the 2023 calendar, with increased prize-money and guaranteed league-based payments, almost certainly prompted by the momentum that LIV was building, and the calibre of player they were attracting. Was this because of the ‘leverage’ that Lefty had spoken about?
Either way, the tension between the PGA Tour (and DP World Tour) and the LIV organization has rarely been higher.
11 players sought an injunction against the PGA Tour though that has now reduced to a piffling number after several plaintiffs, including Mickelson, pulled out. Lately, LIV players continue to live (sorry) it up without particularly worrying about their former alliance – Dustin Johnson, for example, showing absolutely no remorse for his decision to go over to the so-called rebel tour, and Harold Varner has repeatedly said his decision was based on what was good for him and his family, and nobody else.
Whatever the outcome of all of this, we can trace much of the kerfuffle back to that fateful article of 17th February, so imagine the reaction when Mickelson came out with a denial of the entire interview, saying he “never did an interview with Alan Shipnuck.”
Golf writer Dylan Dethier posted a 26-second clip that may well influence the upcoming court case, as well as fan and Tour reaction, of Mickelson denying that any of his conversation was on the record:
Interesting moment from Phil's LIV presser in Saudi Arabia. Asked about his previous comments about Saudi, he answers:
"So I will reiterate, I never did an interview with Alan Shipnuck." pic.twitter.com/fLIrlkyJe5
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) October 13, 2022
Dethier follows up the tweet with a quote received from the now infamous author:.
“Shipnuck has said he’ll, “go to his grave” knowing it was fair game,” although Lefty is clearly hinting about a ‘private’ conversation going public.
This one will run and run….
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19th Hole
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.
Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour:
Flights: $2600
Work Visa: $350
Food: $377
Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week! ?
Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car ??…— Hannah Gregg (@hannahbggg) April 26, 2024
“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350
- Food: $377
- Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
- Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!
- Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car
- Gas: $165
- Entry Fee: $130
- Lounge Pass for caddie: $50
- Gym: $0
- Yardage book: $0
- Total expenses: $3672
Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”
When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.
With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV
After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.
Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.
After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”
“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024
The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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