Current PGA Championship winner Bill MickelsonThe man, who has not played competitively for more than three months, will not be defending his title next week at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The PGA of the United States announced Friday that Mickelson has withdrawn from the PGA Championship.
We are told that Bill Mickelson has withdrawn from the PGA Championship, “the statement said.” We have Bill and [wife] Amy is great and we look forward to playing golf again. “
Last month, six-time champion Mickelson dropped out of the Masters, winning three times for the first time since 1994.
Mickelson became golfing’s oldest golf champion last year at the age of 50, winning the PGA on Kia Island, South Carolina. He has not played on the PGA Tour since the cut failed at the Farmer Insurance Series in Torrey Pines in late January.
Michelson has pulled out of the golf course after controversial comments about the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabian financiers were leaked by author Alan Shipnak.
Michelson criticized the PGA tour for its “greed” and said it had violated the Saudi Arabian monarchy’s human rights abuses to gain influence through the tour.
During a conversation in November, Mickelson told Shipnock, “They’re scary mothers — engaging.” “They killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] A horrible post about Kashogi and human rights. They hang people there for being gay. Knowing all this, why should I consider it? Because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to change how the PGA Tour works. “
Michelson later apologized for his comments.
Longtime sponsors Amstel Lite, KPMG and Orkte have severed ties with him. Galway, who signed a contract with Michelson at the end of his playing career in 2017, suspended his relationship with him.
PGA Tour Pro Charlie HoffmanGrowing up in San Diego and one of Michelson’s close friends, he told ESPN on Wednesday that he would be surprised if Michelson played in the Southern Hills.
“To be honest with you, mentally I think Bill is in a good place now,” Hoffman said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t play, I don’t know if he wants to deal with that [the media]. He has done it all his life. I think he has enough respect for the game he plays, but it would not surprise me if he did not play. I don’t think he wants to deal with it. “
According to ESPN figures and reports, Michelson is the fourth golfer in the last 50 years and will not attempt to defend his title in a major tournament next year. Rory McIlroy Finally in 2015, he missed The Open after suffering an ankle injury while playing football shortly before the match. Tiger Woods He missed the 2008 PGA Championships after winning in 2006 and 2007 because he was still recovering from knee surgery. 1999 US Open champion Payne Stewart was killed in a plane crash in October 1999.
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