What Gary Player told Phil Mickelson during a phone call in 2022 after ill-advised comments led to Masters no-show

Add as preferred source on Google

Gary Player is no stranger to offering controversial takes on the current state of the professional game but back in 2022, he launched an impassioned defence of Phil Mickelson after the six-time major champion’s ill-advised comments in the wake of LIV Golf being established.

Mickelson has always been one of the most popular players in the professional game, and his record has been bettered by few.

Player is one of the players who has won more majors than Mickelson, although the American won 21 more PGA Tour titles than the South African.

Back in July, Mickelson overtook Player into second place on the list of the most cuts made in majors of all time.

However, Player might end up leaving a greater legacy in the game than Mickelson does, when the 55-year-old finally hangs up his clubs.

Back in February 2022, the Californian’s reputation was seriously tarnished when his comments about Saudi Arabia – LIV Golf‘s backers – came to light.

When speaking to golf journalist Alan Shipnuck, he said: “They are scary ************* to get involved with,” in relation to Saudi Arabia. “They 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. They’ve been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no recourse.”

Those comments were ill-advised at best and recklessly dangerous at worst.

After Mickelson received heavy criticism following those comments going public, he released a heartfelt apology.

The six-time major winner said: “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. 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.”

Four months later, LIV Golf was officially formed and Mickelson was one of the high-profile names to jump ship from the PGA Tour.

However, the 45-time PGA Tour winner struggled to escape scrutiny from the comments he made just months prior to LIV’s inception.

Mickelson took an extended break from golf due to the fall-out from his ill-advised comments, and even missed out on playing The Masters in April and defending his PGA Championship crown a month later.

What Gary Player told Phil Mickelson in 2022 after Masters no-show

Mickelson didn’t have many supporters in the golfing world three years ago.

However, Player was one man who stood by his fellow three-time Masters champion.

When speaking to reporters ahead of The Masters in 2022, the diminutive South African offered a passionate defence of Mickelson.

“I think we live in a time now when we are such a judgmental society, a litigious society, a critical society, where people get crucified,“ he said.

“The greatest PR man on the golf Tour in the last five or x amount of years has been Phil Mickelson. He has been the ideal man for a sponsor, for professional golf, for the public, the way he’s handled the public, with dignity and with love.

“And he makes a mistake, which every one of you in this room have made a damn mistake. We all have. And he said he’s sorry. But even the Lord God will forgive you of your inequities if you ask for forgiveness.

“I phoned him. I said, ‘Hold your head up high’. You’ve made a mistake. Everybody makes a mistake. And he should go on with his life.

“It’s amazing. From the epitome of perfection, he’s down there being crucified. It’s not right. That’s my opinion. He said terrible things, but we all make mistakes.“

Gary Player vs Phil Mickelson: Major records combined

While Player and Mickelson have been involved in their fair share of controversies through their respective careers, they both possess hugely successful records in the major championships.

Here are both of their records in the majors compared alongside one another:

Aside from a very select few, the two major championship records of Player and Mickelson will be the envy of the professional golfing world.

Despite his great success, it’s hard not to feel like Mickelson has damaged his legacy over the past few years following his move to LIV Golf.

However, nobody will ever be able to take his six major wins and 45 PGA Tour victories away from him.