Phil Mickelson’s Unapologetic Apology

Any left-handers you all want to talk about?

Is it too late now to say sorry?

Phil Mickelson has taken a lot of criticism over the past week, all of it justified. On Tuesday, he decided it was time to speak up. In a six-paragraph statement on branded letterhead, Mickelson insisted that the ludicrous interview he gave to Alan Shipnuck was “off [the] record” and that Shipnuck shared it “out of context.” He also took the opportunity to criticize the state of professional golf, thank his sponsors, and praise Saudi-backed LIV Golf Investments. He concluded by saying that he had “failed myself and others” and will be taking “some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on the man I want to be.”

All in all, the statement conveyed a picture of a desperate, egotistical man trying to dig himself out of a deep hole of his own construction.

Each paragraph could be dissected at length, but let’s focus on the opening section, in which Mickelson claimed his conversation with Alan Shipnuck was off the record. Shipnuck immediately denied that accusation in a column for the Fire Pit Collective: “Not once in our texts or when we got on the phone did Mickelson request to go off-the-record and I never consented to it.” Shipnuck added that, after the explosive quotes came out last week, Mickelson texted him and “made a half-hearted attempt at revisionist history, trying to say our talk had been a private conversation.” But Shipnuck said he “shut that down real quick.”

Putting all of that aside, note that Mickelson didn’t even try to argue that he didn’t say the words Shipnuck reported. Which means he said this: “[The Saudis are] scary motherf—ers to get involved with.” And this: “We know they killed [Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay.” And this: “Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.” No “context” can make those quotes sound good.

On Tuesday, KPMG and Phil Mickelson “mutually agreed” to end their sponsorship. Something tells us this story isn’t over.

The Latest from The Fried Egg

The LPGA Tour’s Big Opportunity – Mickelson’s meltdown aside, the PGA Tour has had a rough go of it lately. Meg Adkins thinks the LPGA Tour can learn from Ponte Vedra’s shortcomings.

Paulie’s Picks: Honda Classic – Paulie deals with humidity like a pro. Trust him to pick you a winner for this weekend’s Honda Classic.

The Fried Egg Podcast: Bandon Trails – The third of our deep dives into the five 18-hole courses at Bandon Dunes focuses on Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s Bandon Trails. Listen on iTunes and Spotify.

The Shotgun Start – Andy and Brendan recorded this one just before Phil’s statement dropped, so they’ll save that juicy topic for Friday. Meanwhile, they discuss the struggling Honda Classic and talk with Brad Faxon (!) about Corey Pavin, Tiger Woods, and green books. Listen on iTunes and Spotify.

Tee Times

It’s a home game for PGA Tour swampers this week! Well, the ones who are in the field, at least. Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger headline the Honda Classic.

Officially, the Korn Ferry Tour is in Louisiana for the Chitimacha Louisiana Open, but everyone is really there for the food.

Quick Hooks

PGA Tour players and officials had a meeting at PGA National on Tuesday. According to Golf Digest, discussion topics included the Super Golf League, a revised fall season, and “transparency” from leadership. Phil Mickelson’s statement was conveniently released two minutes after the meeting started.

Rick Lamb won a 16-for-1 playoff at the Honda Classic Monday Qualifier. Lamb rolled in this long eagle putt on the first playoff hole to earn the coveted spot at PGA National.

Justin Thomas will partner with Jack Nicklaus on a new golf course design project in Florida. We assume there will be no centerline bunkers.