He claimed that he was off the record and did not intend to share them publicly.
"It was reckless. I offended people. I am deeply sorry for the choice of words I made," he stated.
KPMG, Mickelson's corporate sponsor, announced the end of their partnership at the same time. KPMG stated that the decision was mutual. KPMG released a statement saying that they wish Mickelson all the best.
Mickelson stated that he was deeply disappointed by the comments made to Alan Shipnuck, author and golf writer. He said, "I'm beyond disappointed and will do everything I can to self-reflect on this and learn from it."
In shocking remarks, Mickelson said to Shipnuck that the Saudis behind a breakaway rival league were "scary mom (expletive),s to get involved in."
Shipnuck, who is writing a biography of Mickelson, also said that he was open to collaborating with the Saudis despite their history in human rights abuses. If it meant a change in the PGA Tour, it was worth it.
"We know that they murdered (Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi) and have a terrible record on human rights. He said that homosexuality is a reason they execute gay people in the United States. "Knowing all this, why would you even consider it?" This is a unique opportunity to reshape the PGA Tour's operations.
Interview conducted in November 2008.
Mickelson stated that he always placed the interests of golf before all else, "even though it doesn't seem this way now with my recent comments."
He said that there is a problem with off-record comments being shared without my permission. "But the larger issue is that I used words that I deeply regret and that don't reflect my true feelings or intentions.
Shipnuck posted Mickelson's comments on The Fire Pit Collective last week. He said that Mickelson never once said that our conversation was "off-the-record" or "just between us or any remotely similar." He just opened a vein."
Tweeted Tuesday by Shipnuck, a former writer for Sports Illustrated that Mickelson's claims that he spoke off-the-record were "completely false."
Shipnuck also tweet that Mickelson "made him both the victim as well as the hero of his own press releases."
Mickelson also apologized for LIV Golf Investments, a group headed by Greg Norman and funded primarily by the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth funds chaired Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
He did not mention Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour's commissioner, or the Shipnuck interview in which he called the a "dictatorship". Mickelson said that he and three of the top players had paid lawyers to draft an operating agreement for a rival league.
CBSSports.com reported Mickelson calling out the PGA Tour for its "obnoxious glutt" during his play at the Saudi International in February.
Mickelson's comments seem to be in line with the tour policy on public remarks that unfairly attack or disparage groups like the tour.
Rory McIlroy, star golfer, called Mickelson’s comments "naive and selfish, egotistical. ignorant", CBSSports.com reported.
Mickelson, the oldest major champion in history, won the PGA Championship last year at the age of 50. He said he feels pressure and stress more than ever and needs to take some time off.
He did not mention if he would be taking a vacation from golf. Since the Saudi International on February 6, he has not played golf. He has not played since the Saudi International on Feb. 6. He stated, "I am not playing this week. I know that I haven't been my best. I need to take some time to prioritize the people I love and work on becoming the man I want."
Mickelson stated that he wouldn't want to compromise his corporate partners, and he gave them the option of pausing their relationship or ending it.
He said that he must be held accountable, "despite the fact that I believe some changes have been made in the overall discourse."
In response to the threat of a Saudi league, the PGA Tour made some changes. It launched a "Player Impact Program", which compensates top players for their popularity and social media impressions. Mickelson claimed that he won the PIP its first year.
