Phil Mickelson apologizes for 'reckless' comments about Saudi Golf League
Three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson walked back comments he made about the Saudi Golf League in a lengthy statement Tuesday.
"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," the statement reads, in part. "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."
Last week, biographer Alan Shipnuck released an excerpt from his upcoming book about Mickelson, including a quote about potentially joining a Saudi Arabia-backed golf league.
"They're scary motherf---ers to get involved with," Mickelson said in an interview Shipnuck said happened in November. "... They killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."
While Mickelson said in his apology that the quote was taken out of context, Shipnuck said that assertion "is completely false."
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