Yahoo Sports Phil Mickelson's curious absence from the Masters felt at Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Halfway down the first fairway of Augusta National stands a massive wooden scoreboard that records the rounds of every Masters participant — 91 of them this year.
For the first time since 1994, Phil Mickelson isn’t among them. Instead, the three-time winner (2004, 2006 and 2010) and longtime fan favorite is listed off to the side under “Past Champions Not Playing.” He’s just above Jack Nicklaus, who is 82 years old.
There are few places Mickelson, 51, has appeared more at home than Augusta. It’s not just the green jackets won or the 12 additional top-10 finishes either.
Mickelson has almost always exuded a joy about this event — from playing up to the huge galleries he’d attract even when far from contention (he hasn’t finished in the top 20 since 2015) to wearing a green jacket to the drive-thru of a local Krispy Kreme following his 2010 victory.
If the Masters is part celebration of golf, few celebrated it more than Mickelson.
“Phil has been a real fixture here at the Masters for many, many years,” Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said. “He’s been a big part of our history.”
As for this Masters, it’s Mickelson who is history. He chose not to enter as he has stepped away from the game and public life following controversial comments he made in February about partnering with the Saudi Arabian government to form a rival to the PGA Tour called the Saudi Super League.
“They’re scary [expletives] to get involved with,” Mickelson told veteran golf reporter Alan Shipnuck. “We know they killed [Washington Post reporter 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.”
Mickelson said the quiet part loud, but the comments were still chilling and callous. Was challenging the PGA Tour — which has made Mickelson impossibly wealthy — worth willingly and knowingly partnering with people he opposes?
The reaction to his comments was swift. Condemnations reigned down, sponsors suspended partnerships and other players (Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau) either reiterated their allegiance to the PGA and/or publicly disagreed with Mickelson.
“Seems like a bit of a pretty, you know, egotistical statement,” said Justin Thomas.
Within days, Mickelson issued an apology.
“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,” Mickelson said on Feb. 22. “ ... 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.”
Not long after, Mickelson texted Ridley and told him he would not be participating in the Masters despite having an invitation as both a standing past champion and the reigning PGA Championship winner.
To the Masters, his spot stood no matter the comments.
“We did not disinvite Phil,” Ridley said Wednesday. “ ... I thanked him for his courtesy in letting me know. I told him we appreciated that and told him that I was certainly willing to discuss that further with him if he’d like. He thanked me. We had a very cordial exchange.”
Given Mickelson’s victory in the PGA Championship less than a year ago, he couldn’t be ruled out as a legit contender for a fourth green jacket. If not, he’d still be considered a major attraction from fans.
Yet no one knows when he will return to competitive golf.
Ridley didn’t take a specific position on the Mickelson-led feud with the PGA Tour, only to say that “our mission is always to act in the best interests of the game in whatever form they may take. I think that golf’s in a good place right now.”
Mickelson’s decision not to play came immediately in the fallout of the comments, and a solid six weeks before this tournament. As a purely public relations matter, he could have arrived here and begun the process of putting the issue behind him (if that is his goal).
There would have been a news conference and perhaps some blowback from some fans, but many likely would have just cheered his presence and forgotten about what was said. He also could have been pushed to the back-burner a little with so much focus on the return of Tiger Woods from a horrific 2021 automobile accident.
Mickelson may not be worried about any of that though.
“The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level,” Mickelson said in his February statement. “I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and be the man I want to be.”
That is certainly more important than a 28th consecutive trip here — and 30th overall counting his amateur days.
“He made a personal decision,” Ridley said. “I don’t know anything beyond that. … I certainly wish and we certainly wish him the best working through the issues he’s dealing with right now.”
Augusta National may have often been the perfect place for Mickelson to thrive. The game. The galleries. The green jackets.
Not this year though. Phil isn’t here. When he returns is anyone’s guess.
