Woods slams ‘polarizing’ Mickelson over Saudi golf event

Jim Slater, in Tuls, United States – Absence has not made Tiger Woods’ heart grow fonder for Phil Mickelson.

Woods ripped Mickelson on Tuesday at the PGA Championship over support for upstart LIV Golf, citing the US PGA Tour legacy of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer while branding Mickelson's comments "polarizing' and divisive.

Mickelson, who became golf's oldest major champion when he won last year's PGA at age 50, withdrew from defending his crown last week and hasn't played since controversial comments about LIV Golf were made public in February.

"Phil has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the tour, and committed to the legacy of the tour, have pushed back against," Woods said.

"He has taken some personal time and we all understand that. But I think that some of his views on how the tour could be run, should be run, been a lot of disagreement there."

Mickelson, a six-time major champion, missed the Masters last month for the first time since 1994 and will miss his first PGA since his 1993 debut, the last year the left-hander missed two majors in the same year.

ALSO READ: Jack Nicklaus says he turned down ‘$100m’ offer from Saudi-backed tour

Author Alan Shipnuck released remarks by Mickelson calling LIV Golf's Saudi backers "scary" with a "horrible record on human rights" but said he was willing to work with them for money leverage over the US PGA Tour.

"The viewpoints that Phil has made, with the tour and what the tour has meant to all of us, have been polarizing," Woods said.

"We miss him being out here. He's a big draw for the game of golf. He's just taking his time and we all wish him the best when he comes back.

"Obviously we're going to have difference of opinions, how he sees the tour, and we'll go from there."

Woods said he has not reached out to Mickelson and said he didn't know if there was any need for issues to be resolved.

"He has his opinion on where he sees the game of golf going. I have my viewpoint," Woods said.

"I just think that what Jack and Arnold have done in starting the tour... I just think there's a legacy to that. I still think that the tour has so much to offer, so much opportunity.

ALSO READ: PGA Tour will not release players for Saudi-backed tour opener

"I understand different viewpoints, but I believe in legacies. I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past."

Even, Woods said, if that means saying no to $25 million events such as the LIV Golf opener next month in London.

"There's plenty of money out here," Woods said. "But it's just like any other sport. You have to go out there and earn it ... It's just not guaranteed up front."

Other players were just disappointed not to have the defending champion in the PGA.

"Phil has got to do what Phil has got to do," said second-ranked US Open champion Jon Rahm of Spain. "I would have liked to see him defend. But he's got to do what's best for him. I can't say it makes me unhappy, as long as he's doing what's best for him."

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy called it "unfortunate" and "sad" Mickelson couldn't bring himself to play.

"This should be a celebration," said McIlroy. "He won a major championship at 50 years old. It was possibly his last big moment in the game of golf. I think he should be here this week and celebrating what a monumental achievement he achieved last year."

PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh called Mickelson's absence "the elephant in the room" and said he spoke with Mickelson before, during and after his decision not to play.

"His camp called and said he's not ready to play. Obviously we respect that. We understand it," Waugh said.

"He's going through a lot."

AFP