Phil Mickelson offers apology for Super Golf League comments, will focus on 'the best interests of golf'

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Phil Mickelson apologized on Tuesday for comments he made about the PGA Tour and the organizers of a Saudi-financed league.

Although it doesn't look this way now, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interests of golf, my peers, sponsors and fans.

I am deeply sorry for my choice of words, it was reckless and I offended people. I am beyond disappointed and will make every effort to learn from this.

Last week, author Alan Shipnuck released an excerpt from his upcoming unauthorized biography of six-time major champion Phil Mickelson. In the excerpt published on the Fire Pit Collective website, Mickelson described the Saudis as "scary" but said he was looking past their history of human rights violations to gain leverage with the PGA Tour.

He said he would be taking a break from the tour. He has missed four events.

He wrote that he has felt the pressure and stress slowly affect him at a deeper level.

On the Fire Pit Collective, Shipnuck said that Lefty reached out to him to discuss issues on the PGA Tour. The discussion was never said to be off the record or for background purposes only, and it would be used in his book.

Greg Norman is fronting the Super Golf League which is funded by Saudi Arabia. Many of the best players on the tour have pledged to stick with the tour despite attempts to lure them away.

I apologize for anything I said that was taken out of context. The people I have worked with have been supportive. They love golf and share my drive to make the game better.

The proposed splinter league was supposed to start play this summer, with 10 tournaments in the U.S.

Golf desperately needs change, and real change is always preceded by disruption. I still chose to put myself at the forefront of this to inspire change, taking the hits publicly to do work behind the scenes.

When he won the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50, Phil Mickelson became the oldest major champion in history, but he has been criticized by many players on the PGA Tour.

I don't want to kick someone while he's down, but I thought thatMickelson's comments were naive, selfish, egotistical, and ignorant. It was very disappointing. Sad. I am sure he is rethinking his position and where he goes from here.

Callaway and Amstel Light have been given the opportunity to pause their relationship with him. The company said in an email to The Associated Press that it was mutual and they wished him the best.

I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the public. This has always been about supporting the players and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of doubt.

Information from The Associated Press was used.