Phil Mickelson to MISS first Masters in 28 years as three-time champion is removed from list of competitors for 2022 tournament but named as a past champion who is not playing
- Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson will not be at the 2022 tournament
- He has been removed from the list of active players on the competition’s website
- The 51-year-old is instead named under the list of ‘past champions not playing’
- It will be the first year since 1994 that Mickelson will not compete in Augusta
- Mickelson said last month that he would be taking time away from the PGA Tour
- It comes amid comments he made about the Saudi-backed Super Golf League
Phil Mickelson, who is taking time away from the game amid the fallout from comments he made regarding the Saudi-backed Super Golf League, is no longer listed in the field of active players competing at next month’s Masters.
The Masters website on Monday showed three-times winner Mickelson listed as a past champion not playing in the April 7-10 event at Augusta National Golf Club.
Mickelson’s agent was not immediately available to comment.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson will not play at the 2022 tournament in Augusta
Mickelson’s absence from the year’s opening major will mark the first time that he will miss the Masters since 1994.
In February, an author of an upcoming unauthorised biography on Mickelson released excerpts from the book in which the golfer called the Saudis ‘scary’ but said he was willing to look past their human rights records to gain leverage with the PGA Tour.
Saudi Arabia’s government has denied accusations of human rights abuses.
Six-time major champion Mickelson apologised for the comments, which he claimed were off the record, and said he planned to take time away from the sport.
The long-time fan favourite has since found himself isolated and has also lost a number of sponsors.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was asked about Mickelson’s future before The Players Championship earlier this month.
‘He [Mickelson] has said that he’s stepping away and he wants time for reflection – that’s something that I and we are going to respect and honour,’ Monahan said.
‘When he’s ready to come back to the PGA Tour, we’re going to have that conversation. That’s a conversation I look forward to.
Jay Monahan said he respects Mickelson’s decision to take time away from the PGA Tour
‘I have not talked to Phil since he made his comments and since he said that he was stepping away. Like I said, I think the ball is in his court. I would welcome a phone call from him. But it’s hard for me to talk about the different scenarios that could play out.
‘Listen, he’s a player that’s won 45 times on the PGA Tour. He’s had a Hall of Fame career. He’s won here at The Players Championship. He’s inspired a lot of people and helped grow this Tour, his Tour.
‘So as difficult as it is to read some of the things that were said, ultimately a conversation will be had when he’s ready to have it, and I will be ready to have it, as well.’