PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said Tuesday that a conversation will be required with Phil Mickelson “when he’s ready to come back.”
Monahan averted answering a direct question about whether Mickelson was — or would be — suspended.
“He stepped away on his own accord, and he’s asked for time,” Monahan said. “He’s been given that time. We don’t comment on disciplinary matters, potential matters or actual matters. But every player is accountable for their actions out here.”
Monahan said he hasn’t spoken with Mickelson since the latter’s controversial comments weeks ago regarding the Saudi-backed Super Golf League (SGL).
Among other things, Mickelson said he was willing to look past the human rights abuses of the “scary” Saudis in order to get some leverage with the Tour on economic matters.
Mickelson, 51, later apologized for his comments, adding that he was taking a sabbatical from golf.
“I think the ball is in his court,” Monahan said. “I would welcome a phone call from him. … When he’s ready to come back to the PGA Tour, we’re going to have that conversation. That’s a conversation I look forward to.
“So as difficult as it is to read some of the things that were said, ultimately a conversation will be had when he’s ready to have it, and I will be ready to have it, as well.”
Defending Players champion Justin Thomas said many people believe Mickelson should have the opportunity to apologize and move forward and he expects Mickelson to return when he’s ready.
“I think a lot of people are probably just a little bit upset at how it happened or how he went about it,” Thomas said Tuesday. “At the end of the day, he’s proven himself in the game of golf. He doesn’t owe the game of golf anything. He’s done plenty for it and for us.
“Now I just think it’s more of what he wants. If he wants to try to come back and play ‘X’ amount of events or if he wants to try to create his own thing. If he wants to do whatever he’s got to do, nobody knows what’s going on inside of Phil’s head beside Phil, and I think the last couple weeks have proven that more than ever.”
Monahan addressed the SGL in his opening remarks at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
“The PGA Tour is moving on,” Monahan said. “We have too much momentum and too much to accomplish to be consistently distracted by rumors of other golf leagues and their attempts to disrupt our players, our partners and most importantly our fans from enjoying the Tour and the game we all love so much.
“I am grateful for the strong support our top players have shown recently and publicly, and I’m extremely proud that we’ve turned the conversation around to focus on what we do best: delivering world-class golf tournaments with the best players to the best fans, all while positively impacting the communities in which we play. We are and we always will be focused on legacy, not leverage.”
–Field Level Media
