Why Isn’t Phil Mickelson Playing in the PGA Championship to Defend His Title?

Phil Mickelson announced he wouldn’t be playing in the PGA Championship after failing to defend his title last year. While other professional golfers are baffled, experts say Phil’s decision may have been an insurance move and that it is a personal decision for him as he looks toward retirement.

Phil Mickelson is a professional golfer who has won multiple major championships. He is also the current PGA champion. However, he will not be playing in this week’s tournament because of a wrist injury.

Phil Mickelson, the defending PGA champion, has had a turbulent year. The 51-year-old hasn’t played in a professional tournament since his inflammatory remarks on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series, and we haven’t seen him since.

Lefty declared this month that he will defend his PGA Championship title at Southern Hills Country Club in 2022. However, he told the PGA of America a few days before tournament week that he would be withdrawing from the event. So, why isn’t Phil Mickelson in the PGA Championship this year?

The PGA Tour has turned on Phil Mickelson.

After winning the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, Phil Mickelson poses with the Wanamaker Trophy. | Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Most PGA Tour professionals have rebuffed invitations and sworn their commitment to the Tour since the Greg Norman-led, Saudi-backed Super Golf League began reaching out to them. However, several players indicated interest in the rich offer, particularly older players who have little to no chance of winning at the elite level of golf anymore.

Mickelson led the effort, telling author Alan Shipnuck earlier this year that the Saudis are “dangerous motherf*****s” with a “terrible human rights record.” Nonetheless, he seemed enthusiastic about using them to teach the PGA Tour a lesson.

He told Shipnuck, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to redefine how the PGA Tour functions.” “Because we, the participants, had no redress, they were able to get away with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm techniques.” As lovely as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] seems to be, he won’t do what’s right until you have leverage.”

The PGA Tour and Mickelson’s teammates were not pleased with such statements. Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, among others, spoke out against Mickelson and pledged their support for the Tour. Lefty had been banished from the tour that had brought him riches, fame, and what he believed were forever friends in an instant.

Mickelson subsequently declared he would be retiring from professional golf, but his agent, Steve Loy, confirmed in late April that the golfer has entered the PGA Championship and the US Open, as well as the first LIV Golf Invitational tournament in London next month.

Why isn’t Phil Mickelson in the PGA Championship this year?

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Since making those contentious statements, Mickelson hasn’t been seen on the golf course, but he was anticipated to tee it up this weekend to defend his PGA Championship title. That will not be the case, as the six-time major champion notified the PGA of America this week that he would not be competing at Southern Hills.

Monahan denied all waiver petitions for players seeking to compete in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational tournament from June 9-11, which might explain Mickelson’s withdrawal. You will not be invited back if you quit the Tour for the Super Golf League at any stage.

Mickelson is now at a perplexing fork in the path. He can either quit the PGA Tour, which he clearly despises, to pursue Saudi riches on the LIV Golf Invitational Series, or he may abandon that goal and return full-time to the PGA Tour.

Given his already tainted reputation, it wouldn’t be surprising if Mickelson announced his retirement from the PGA Tour.

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RELATED: Phil Mickelson may be out, but John Daly just reminded us that he’ll be at the PGA Championship in a John Daly-like manner.

The “2019 pga championship” is the most prestigious golf tournament in the world. It is a major championship on the PGA Tour, and it has been held since 1916. The 2019 tournament will be held at Bethpage Black Golf Club in Farmingdale, New York.

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