Mickelson seeks PGA release for Saudi-backed series opener

Phil Mickelson sparked intrigue approximately his possible go back to golfing on Monday after applying for a launch to play in the first event of a rewarding Saudi Arabia-subsidized golf tour in June.

Mickelson’s management enterprise confirmed in an assertion that the 51-year-old six-time principal winner turned in in search of approval to play within the June 11th of September LIV Golf Invitational outdoor London — however pressured he had not yet shown his participation.

The former global primary has now not performed seeing that triggering uproar in February following the book of his remarks made closing yr to creator Alan Shipnuck regarding the brand new Saudi-funded challenge.

Mickelson described the Saudi financial backers of the proposed league as “scary” with a “horrible record on human rights” but said he was willing to deal with them in order to gain leverage to “reshape” the US PGA Tour.

Mickelson, the reigning PGA champion, subsequently apologized for the comments and announced he was taking some “desperately needed time away” from golf.

However, his eventual return could conceivably feature participation at the LIV Golf event at Centurion Golf Club outside London.

Steve Loy, co-president of Sportive management, said in a statement Mickelson was registered to play in both next month’s PGA Championship, where he will be defending his title, as well as the June 16-19 US Open, which takes place the week after the LIV London event.

“Our client Phil Mickelson is officially registered to play in the PGA Championship as well as the US Open,” Loy said.

“We have also filed a request on his behalf for a release to play in the first LIV Golf Invitational in London, June 9-11. This request complies with the deadline of April 25 set forth by the PGA Tour to compete in a conflicting tour event.

“Phil currently has no concrete plans on when and where he will play. Any actions taken are in no way a reflection of a final decision made, but rather to keep all options open.”

Mickelson’s possible go back comes amid excessive hypothesis about other gamers who may additionally decide to take part in the Saudi-backed undertaking.

The money-spinning series will provide purses of $25 million per tournament — making every leg of the series greater profitable than the richest occasion at the PGA Tour, and more or less more than double the prize money on offer for every of golf’s four majors.

Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper in the meantime reported on Monday that European Ryder Cup stars Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood were all thinking about playing on the occasion.