Mickelson says he won’t quit PGA Tour ahead of LIV Golf opener

ST. ALBANS (Reuters): Six-times major champion Phil Mickelson said on Wednesday he will not follow Dustin Johnson in quitting the PGA Tour as he prepares to feature in the opening event of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series.

Former world number one Johnson and fellow American Kevin Na have both resigned from the PGA Tour to play in the controversial breakaway circuit, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and offers a total prize fund of $ 255 million.

“I earned my lifetime membership and I don’t want to give that up, I don’t believe I should have to,” Mickelson told reporters on the eve of the opening event at the Centurion Club near London.

The 51-year-old, coming back after a self-imposed hiatus from the sport following a backlash over his comments on the LIV Series, refused to reveal if he had been suspended by the PGA Tour. “I choose not to speak publicly on PGA Tour issues at this time,” he said.

In February, Mickelson called out the PGA Tour for their “obnoxious greed” and said that the threat of the Saudi-based league had already prompted organisers to distribute more money to the players.

Mickelson also declined to confirm if he was receiving $ 200 million to compete in the LIV Golf events, saying that contract agreements should be private.

Mickelson, who missed his title defence at the PGA Championship last month, confirmed that he will play in the US Open next week after the United States Golf Association announced that it would not punish those who had signed up for the LIV Series.