Phil Mickelson will not be allowed to return to the PGA Tour until he has talked to commissioner Jay Monahan and explained his extraordinary recent comments.
Speaking for the first time on the Mickelson affair, a plainly uncomfortable Monahan stuck to the party line of not commenting directly on disciplinary matters. But it’s clear an unprecedented suspension for the current holder of the USPGA Championship and one of the most decorated players of all time will be on the table when they do talk.
Revealing that he hadn’t spoken to Mickelson in months, a visibly emotional Monahan admitted that it had been ‘difficult to read some of the things he said.’
He added: ‘The ball is in Phil’s court. He said he wanted to step away from the game and we respect and honour that. And when he’s ready to return, we’re going to have a conversation. I’m ready to have it as well.’
Mickelson hasn’t been seen on the PGA Tour since late January with the Masters, an event he has won on three occasions, now just over a month away. If he is suspended, it’s unclear at this stage whether he would be allowed to compete at Augusta, since the green jackets run their own operation.
On the subject of a possible suspension, Monahan said: ‘It’s hard to talk about different scenarios, but every player is accountable for their actions.’
Asked how hurtful it was to be accused by one of his top players of ‘obnoxious greed’ and Mickelson owning up to being a prime mover in setting up the proposed Saudi Golf League, Monahan was clearly upset by the lefty’s remarks.
‘That’s not how I operate and people who know me know that is not how I operate,’ he said.
He added: ‘The ball is in Phil’s court. He said he wanted to step away from the game and we respect and honour that. And when he’s ready to return, we’re going to have a conversation. I’m ready to have it as well.’
Mickelson hasn’t been seen on the PGA Tour since late January with the Masters, an event he has won on three occasions, now just over a month away. If he is suspended, it’s unclear at this stage whether he would be allowed to compete at Augusta, since the green jackets run their own operation.
On the subject of a possible suspension, Monahan said: ‘It’s hard to talk about different scenarios, but every player is accountable for their actions.’
Asked how hurtful it was to be accused by one of his top players of ‘obnoxious greed’ and Mickelson owning up to being a prime mover in setting up the proposed Saudi Golf League, Monahan was clearly upset by the lefty’s remarks.
‘That’s not how I operate and people who know me know that is not how I operate,’ he said.
