Men's Golf

Phil Mickelson will no longer serve as the host for the American Express PGA Tour event in 2023 after his comments regarding the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League.

The PGA Tour revealed the news to Larry Bohannan of the Palm Springs Desert Sun, who also wrote that the Mickelson Foundation will no longer be part of the event either.

Mickelson's remarks occurred during a November interview with Alan Shipnuck for his upcoming biography, Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar.

However, the comments didn't come to light until Shipnuck released the Q-and-A in advance last week.

The most controversial remarks included Mickelson's explaining why he considered the Super Golf League despite Saudi human rights violations.

In essence, Mickelson said his issues with the PGA Tour (he's notably criticized it for what he calls "obnoxious greed") trump any concerns he has about the human rights record:

We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and 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.

Backlash ensued, with some fellow star golfers (e.g., Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy) expressing dismay and disappointment.

Mickelson eventually apologized for the remarks and said he's stepping away from golf to "prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be."

A Statement from Phil Mickelson pic.twitter.com/2saaXIxhpu

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 22, 2022

Following his remarks, Callaway paused its relationship with Mickelson, and Workday severed ties with the six-time major winner entirely. KPMG and Amstel Light also broke off from Mickelson.

Rory McIlroy joined Justin Thomas in criticizing Phil Mickelson's comments on how the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League might be a tool by which to effect change on the PGA Tour.

Alan Shipnuck, who's writing a biography on Mickelson, shared comments from the six-time major champion on the Super Golf League that quickly gained traction:

They're scary motherf--kers to get involved with. We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and 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.

Mickelson's comments didn't sit well with McIlroy, who described them as "naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant."

"It was just very surprising and disappointing. It was just very surprising and disappointing. Sad," he told reporters. "I'm sure he's sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here."

Thomas echoed a similar sentiment when he said Mickelson made an "egotistical statement":

Justin Thomas says Phil's claim about using the Saudi league as leverage to change the PGA Tour is an "egotistical statement." pic.twitter.com/yPyfNMBD07

— Zephyr Melton (@zephyrmelton) February 17, 2022

There's no question the threat of a breakaway golf tour was the kind of thing that might force the PGA Tour to rethink policies and procedures that may be unpopular among the sport's top stars.

The Player Impact Program, which established a bonus pool for the best and most popular players, was basically a preemptive strike. The FedEx Cup bonus pool increased for this season as well.

It appears the Super Golf League may go the way of the Super League in European soccer, however.

Should the Saudi-backed competition forge ahead, it will do so without a lot of the top players who will inevitably be required to make a new tour viable.

On Sunday, the PGA Tour shared a statement from Dustin Johnson, who made it clear he's not leaving. Bryson DeChambeau, widely viewed as the biggest uncertainty still on the board, recommitted to the PGA Tour for now as well.

That follows comments from McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa indicating their intention to decline any formal offer from the Super Golf League.

Even if he doesn't ultimately go anywhere, Mickelson is increasingly finding himself on an island by lending the Super Golf League the kind of legitimacy many of his peers have declined to give it.

Sam Ryder was the latest recipient of a massive celebration after hitting a hole-in-one in front of the crowd surrounding the 16th hole at the Phoenix Open on Saturday.

On the 124-yard par-three, Ryder hit the ball to the left of the hole, and it rolled in for what was the best shot of the day. The people in attendance gave the 32-year-old a nice beer shower as they tossed their cans on the green.

SAM RYDER! ACE ON 16!

WHAT A MOMENT. pic.twitter.com/bY3oSFM4nx

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 12, 2022

There were so many cans thrown on the green that it took tournament officials a few minutes to clean them up before Brian Harman could take his shot.

pic.twitter.com/zhUk8mCQIm

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) February 12, 2022

Ryder's hole-in-one on the 16th hole at the Phoenix Open was the first since Francesco Molinari accomplished the feat in 2015. It is also the 10th ace on the 16th hole in tournament history.

Brooks Koepka, who hasn't won a tournament since last season at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, has dropped to 20th in the Golf World Rankings. 

And he isn't thrilled. 

"That's embarrassing to be 20th, I feel like," he told reporters Thursday. "A lot of it has to do with injury, man. I've been hurt, on the sidelines. Not playing, playing through injury, you can't compete with guys out here. It's nice to be somewhat healthy and get out here and I mean I'm not too worried about it, it will bounce back up."

It's been a long slide for Koepka, who was No. 1 in the rankings in February 2020 but has missed the cut in three of his last seven tournaments. A number of injuries, including knee, neck and hip issues, contributed to that run of poor form. 

"You're never 100 percent," he said. "No athlete's ever 100 percent. But, like I said, if you're not healthy, man, it's not easy. But, at the same time, I mean there's nobody out here that's shooting to be No. 2 in the world. So, if you are, you're probably playing the wrong—shouldn't be playing. So, 19 spots to go."

Hideki Matsuyama overcame a five-shot deficit and defeated Russell Henley in a one-hole playoff to win the Sony Open on Sunday in Honolulu.

Hideki overcomes a 5-shot back-9 deficit. 🏆

The season's first two-time winner takes @SonyOpenHawaii in a playoff. pic.twitter.com/0p1bMLp2Y5

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

WHAT. A. SHOT. 🤯

Hideki Matsuyama hits an incredible 277-yard shot to set himself up beautifully for eagle. pic.twitter.com/vF4hmybagu

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) January 17, 2022

A dramatic effort to seal win No. 8 for Hideki. 👏 pic.twitter.com/bOrMvGhAZH

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

Hawaii Hideki. 🤙🌸 pic.twitter.com/5LgKkOgHvB

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

Matsuyama (-23) shot seven under for the second straight day in the final round. It's the 2021 Masters champion's second win of the 2021-22 season after he was victorious at the Zozo Championship in October. Sunday's win marks the eighth PGA Tour victory of Matsuyama's career, tying KJ Choi for most wins all-time by an Asian-born player in PGA Tour history.

Henley entered the day as the tournament's leader after 54 holes. He started off the day on fire and opened up a five-shot lead with three consecutive birdies and an eagle to close out the front nine.

Beauty from @RussHenleyGolf. 🎯

He gets his lead back to 2. pic.twitter.com/NZz6Oycx9c

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

.@russhenleygolf is putting on a CLINIC. 💯@SonyOpenHawaii | 📺 GOLF pic.twitter.com/p1c8gzuXOh

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) January 17, 2022

Birdie
Birdie
Birdie
Eagle@RussHenleyGolf makes the turn on FIRE and takes a 5-shot lead. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/B8iLaTZ1WG

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

But Henley went cold on the back nine. He had a bogey on the 11th hole and made par on the other eight holes, allowing Matsuyama to make his move.

Matsuyama birdied four of his last nine holes, including back-to-back birdies to start his back nine and another on the 18th hole to force the playoff.

Back-to-back birdies for Hideki. 🐦

Just like that he's back within 2. 👀 pic.twitter.com/rv9xxczqBZ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

One shot back. 👀

Hideki makes a long birdie at the 15th. pic.twitter.com/7v2fukhdW3

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

Hideki (using all of the tee box) with a MONSTER 338-yard drive on 18. 💪

Henley’s tee shot finds the bunker. pic.twitter.com/vcYJMIs0BG

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 17, 2022

Henley missed out on his first PGA Tour win since 2017 when he won the Houston Open. He had previously won the Sony Open in 2013 in his PGA Tour debut, breaking the tournament record by four shots with a final score of 256 (-24). Justin Thomas broke that record in 2017 with a 253.

Kevin Kisner and Seamus Power tied for third at under 19. Michael Thompson and Lucas Glover rounded out the top five at under 18.

Former professional golfer Lee Elder has died at the age of 87, the PGA Tour announced Monday:

Lee Elder has passed away at the age of 87.

In 1975, he made history as the first African American to compete in the Masters Tournament.

Lee was honored this past April at Augusta National and his legacy will surely live on. pic.twitter.com/1o05rephKt

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 29, 2021

Elder was best known as the first Black man to compete at the Masters, which he did in 1975. He competed at Augusta six times, twice finishing inside the top 20.

Lee Elder became the first Black man to play at the Masters in 1975

The legend spoke on what it meant to be an honorary starter along with Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus for this year’s tournament https://t.co/5aevCZpd8n

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 10, 2021

The Texas native won four times on the PGA Tour, including the 1974 Monsanto Open that earned him the initial invite to the Masters Tournament. 

Elder said he received threats leading up to his first appearance at the Masters, ultimately renting two houses so people wouldn't know where he was staying.

In 2021, he was celebrated by the tournament as an honorary starter alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player and received a large ovation from the crowd.

"For me and my family, I think it was one of the most emotional experiences that I have ever witnessed or been involved in," Elder said following the ceremony, per Joel Beall of Golf Digest. "It is certainly something that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

Elder also broke the color barrier at the Ryder Cup, helping the United States team win in 1979.

He found even more success later in life on the PGA Champions Tour, earning nine wins.   

On Sunday, Tiger Woods posted video of himself swinging a golf club, an encouraging sign for his recovery from leg injuries following a car crash in February.

Making progress pic.twitter.com/sVQkxEHJmq

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 21, 2021

Later on Sunday, Phil Mickelson said he was happy to see Woods getting some swings in again:

As I’m hanging in Montana, it’s great to see Tiger swinging a golf club again. I know he can’t stand me holding a single record so I’m guessing HE wants to be the oldest to ever win a major. I’ll just say this. BRING IT!

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) November 21, 2021

The 45-year-old Woods hasn't played since November 2020 at the Masters.

It's been unclear whether Woods would retire after his car crash or attempt a comeback, though Justin Thomas said earlier in November it would be the latter.

"I know that he's going to try," Thomas said during the No Laying Up podcast. "I don't see him ever playing if he can't play well. He doesn't strike me as a guy who's played at home and he's shooting a bunch of 75s and 76s and he's like, 'OK, I'm gonna give Augusta a try this year.' That's not really gonna be him, at least from my understanding, what I know of him."

Red Sox vs. Yankees. Duke vs. North Carolina. Ohio State vs. Michigan.

And now, Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka.

Golf's biggest rivalry will take center stage the day after Thanksgiving when two of the sport's biggest stars—who have notably feuded this year—will square off in the latest edition of Capital One's The Match at the Wynn Golf Course in Las Vegas.

The 12-hole event will be broadcast live on TNT at 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 26 with simulcast coverage available on TBS, truTV and HLN.

DeChambeau will attempt to outplay his rival and defend his title at the event after teaming up with Aaron Rodgers to defeat Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in July. While Koepka has not competed in the event before, he did donate $100,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts when Brady birdied a hole in the May 2020 competition.

While this year's matchup will not feature stars from other sports joining the golfers like it has in the past, there will be no shortage of storylines given the connection between DeChambeau and Koepka.

Their feud dominated the golf headlines throughout the past year, although it is nothing new.

"The rift between Koepka and DeChambeau stretches back to at least January 2019, and the two have traded barbs ever since," Dylan Dethier of Golf Magazine wrote. "Koepka has criticized DeChambeau's pace of play, DeChambeau has criticized Koepka's abs, Koepka has flexed his trophy collection, DeChambeau has confronted him in person, Koepka has made fun of DeChambeau asking for a ruling, etc."

It reached a new level this year, as DeChambeau took issue with fans yelling "Brooksie" at him during tournaments. He even confronted a fan for it at the BMW Championship in August.

Koepka trolled him during the Memorial Tournament in Ohio in June by thanking those who called out his name and offering free beer to those who maybe had their time "cut short" at the event because of his rival taking issue with it:

Capping off a long day with @MichelobULTRA! Thanks for all the support today. Also, we’ve got something for you… pic.twitter.com/kwtwXg3Kqb

— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) June 4, 2021

Koepka also grew quite frustrated with DeChambeau during an interview in a moment that reached meme status online:

pic.twitter.com/2VSwR4vm06

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) May 26, 2021

However, being teammates at the Ryder Cup may have done wonders for their relationship.

United States captain Steve Stricker told reporters they wanted to play together, and there was even a hug in the post-victory celebration:

Brooks and Bryson finish the presser by hugging it out in the middle of the room pic.twitter.com/qxOBXjsu7H

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) September 26, 2021

There probably won't be any hugging at Capital One's The Match.

Troy Merritt picked a great time to make his first career hole-in-one.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic tournament leader executed a perfect shot on the par-three 11th hole, which measured at 218 yards, to drill an ace and increase his advantage in the third round at Detroit Golf Club on Saturday.

🚨 AN ACE FROM THE LEADER! 🚨@TroyMerritt_PGA makes his first career hole-in-one and extends his lead to 3 shots. pic.twitter.com/79iJIXLLL4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 3, 2021

Merritt moved to 15 under for the tournament and six under for the round with the hole-in-one. He took a three-stroke lead thanks to his great day, which also included a four-under front nine.

He slowed down in his final seven holes, registering a bogey on No. 12 before finishing the back nine with six straight pars. However, he's heading into Sunday tied for the tournament lead with Joaquin Niemann at 14 under.

The 35-year-old is looking for his third PGA Tour win and first since the 2018 Barbasol Championship.

The PGA Tour is planning to end its weekly COVID-19 testing program starting with the 3M Open, which tees off July 22.

ESPN's Bob Harig shared a portion of the memo from PGA Tour Senior Vice President Tyler Dennis:

We are pleased to announce, after consultation with PGA Tour medical advisors, that due to the high rate of vaccination among all constituents on the PGA Tour, as well as other positively trending factors across the country, testing for COVID-19 will no longer be required as a condition of competition beginning with the 3M Open.

The PGA Tour said it will continue to have on-site testing available to those showing symptoms and that it "may still conduct periodic testing of all constituents."

As it prepared to restart play last June, the tour laid out its original testing protocols. Players and caddies were required to test negative at the site of a tournament in order to take part.

With the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine ongoing, the protocols were updated in April to allow a little more freedom to those who had been vaccinated, including a halt to routine testing.

Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament after the third round, when he led by six shots and appeared poised for a dominant victory.

The PGA Tour said he had been subject to contact-tracing after having close contact with a person carrying COVID-19. A test performed prior to the third round yielded a positive result, which was confirmed upon a second test.

According to Golf Digest's Tod Leonard, vaccinated individuals will no longer have to do contact-tracing after being around someone carrying the virus.