Callaway Golf paused its relationship with Phil Mickelson on Friday, changing into the fourth longtime sponsor to both finish or halt its partnership with the six-time main champion after his controversial feedback concerning the PGA Tour and organizers of a Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway league turned public final week.
KPMG and Amstel Mild introduced earlier this week that they had been ending their sponsorship with Mickelson. Workday did the identical Friday, and Callaway later issued a press release concerning its stance.
“Callaway doesn’t condone Phil Mickelson’s feedback and we had been very upset in his alternative of phrases — they by no means mirror our values or what we stand for as an organization,” it mentioned. “Phil has apologized and we all know he regrets how he dealt with current occasions. We acknowledge his want to take time away from the sport and respect that call. Presently we’ve got agreed to pause our partnership & will re-evaluate our ongoing relationship at a later date.”
In 2017, Callaway and Mickelson had agreed to increase their relationship via the rest of his taking part in profession.
Writer Alan Shipnuck launched an excerpt from his upcoming unauthorized biography of Mickelson final week. In it, Mickelson described the Saudis as “scary” however mentioned he was trying previous their controversial historical past of human rights violations to achieve leverage with the PGA Tour.
His feedback drew widespread criticism — together with from fellow PGA Tour gamers — main Mickelson to apologize days later.
“Though it would not look this manner now given my current feedback, my actions all through this course of have at all times been with the most effective pursuits of golf, my friends, sponsors and followers,” Mickelson wrote. “There’s the issue of off-the-record feedback being shared out of context and with out my consent, however the greater concern is that I used phrases that don’t mirror my true emotions or intentions.
“It was reckless, I offended individuals, and I’m deeply sorry for my alternative of phrases. I am past upset and can make each effort to self-reflect and be taught from this.”
He added that he was taking time away from golf “to prioritize those he loves most and to work on being the person he desires to be.”
On the Hearth Pit Collective podcast, Shipnuck mentioned Mickelson reached out to him to debate the PGA Tour and different points in November. Shipnuck mentioned Mickelson by no means mentioned their dialogue was off the document or for background functions solely, and knew it will be utilized in his guide.
“I’ve made a number of errors in my life and lots of have been shared with the general public,” Mickelson wrote as a part of his assertion. “My intent was by no means to harm anybody and I am sorry to the individuals I’ve negatively impacted. This has at all times been about supporting the gamers and I recognize all of the individuals who have given me the advantage of doubt.”
