PGA Tour players and golf fans around the world were shocked to their core when they heard the news about the comments that fan-favorite Phil Mickelson had made in regards to a rival golf league that is attempting to undercut the PGA Tour. This rival league, known as the “Super Golf League,” (SGL) is a Saudi Arabian backed tour that is run by former PGA player Greg Norman. The SGL has been approaching current PGA Tour players with large financial benefits and salaries in an attempt to poach them from the Tour to come to the SGL.

Notable Tour members who have been approached by the SGL are Bryson DeChambeau, Lee Westwood, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, Mickelson, and others. DeChambeau and Johnson came out with statements pledging their allegiance to the PGA Tour and others such as Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods have come out and said they will stay loyal and true to the Tour, despite not even being approached by the SGL.

So let’s turn back to Mickelson. What did he say and why did it strike so many nerves? Well, to sum it up, Mickelson said that he was using the SGL as leverage to gain a higher income from the PGA Tour. Mind you this is coming from a man who has won just under $100 million from Tour events. Mickelson also added that he knew of the horrible record on human rights that Saudi Arabia had, but he was still willing to help the new league.

These comments did not fly over well with fans and other members of the Tour. Mickelson received backlash from all sides as other Tour members called his comments “selfish” and “out of touch.” Callaway golf company, Mickelsons’ golf club sponsor, temporarily paused their sponsorship with Mickelson and the American Express Championship cut ties with Mickelson as the tournament host. Mickelson issued a lengthy apology in the days following his comments being released, which also received criticism. Many believed the apology was weak and one golfer even called it “Horse (bleep).”

I believe that Phil Mickelson will be back on the PGA Tour. It might take one or two tournaments before he is welcomed back with open arms, and he will certainly have to gain back some trust in the public eye. But I know he will be back in some way or form. I feel as if he just made a really bad judgement call and he took a risk that ultimately backfired on him and cost him. Ultimately however, this will blow over and Phil will be back to playing golf on the PGA Tour.