Revolution on the greens? Phil Mickelson in turn braves the PGA and joins the LIV, the Saudi Super League

Is international golf entering a new era? Like other renowned golfers before him, Phil Mickelson is causing a stir in the usually so polished environment of the greens. The American legend announced on Monday that she will take part in the first competition of the LIV, the Super League financed by Saudi capital. This new entity aims to compete with the PGA, the North American circuit of reference, by attracting many big names in very lucrative tournaments, even more than those of the PGA.

Mickelson had for several months expressed his interest in this new Super League, seeing in this competition a means of pressure on the American tour, organizer of some of the most prestigious competitions on the calendar such as the Masters. A position which had triggered a controversy, while the PGA takes a very dim view of the new attraction of this dissident competition, which would come to jump with both feet on its flowerbeds.

Mickelson after Johnson, Garcia or Poulter

In statements to the American sports magazine Sports Illustrated, the left-handed player also affirmed his intention to play the major PGA tournaments. “I can’t wait to play the US Open“, one of the four grand slam tournaments, stressing that he understood from his discussions with the PGA authorities, that this would be possible for him. He also indicated that he would remain a member of the PGA, unlike other players who joined the LIV, acknowledging however not to have spoken with the commissioner of the PGA Tour, Jay Monahan.

Absent from the greens since he expressed his support for this project at the start of the year, while criticizing the leaders of the PGA Tour, he is on the entry list for the first Super League tournament at the end of the week. in London.

In a biography written by journalist Alan Shipnuck, Mickelson explained that “saudi money“funding this new circuit offered golfers a “pressure way” pour “get things done with the PGA“, while emphasizing the “horrendous human rights record” of the Saudi kingdom. He later apologized and decided to “take a step back“, notably ignoring the Masters and the PGA Championship.

In his statement posted on Twitter on Monday, Mickelson said he hopes the new circuit will “transformer” son sport. “It will bring balance, allowing me to focus on a healthier approach to life during competition and beyond.out,” he added.

Risk of sanctions

During his absence, the Super League took off and attracted many big names in golf. Last week the former world No.1 Dustin Johnson, winner of the US Open in 2016 and the Masters in 2020, who had assured in February that he would remain faithful to the PGA circuit, was thus at the top of a first list of 42 players due to take part in the inaugural LIV tournament, which will take place from June 9-11 at the Centurion Club in St Albans, north London.

This event, like the others to come, provides for an endowment of 25 million dollars (about 23 million euros), more than double each of the four Majors. Not a single PGA event offers so much money. Other former Major winners are on the list like Sergio Garcia or British star Ian Poulter, despite the warning from the PGA Tour.

“As we told all of our members on May 10, players affiliated with the PGA Tour were not allowed to participate in the tournament organized by the Saudi Golf League in London, in accordance with our regulations.“, the body said last week in a statement.”Members who violate this regulation are therefore subject to disciplinary sanctions.“, adds the PGA Tour in this text.