Mickelson Having Fine Open Championship Week at St. Andrews Despite Celebration of Champions Snub

Phil Mickelson is back playing golf, taking part in his fourth tournament (two LIV Golf events, the U.S. Open and now the Open Championship), but his comments from February continue to loom over him.

The 2013 Open Championship winner said that he was contacted last week by the R&A (The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews that runs the Open) and encouraged not to attend Monday’s Celebration of Champions and Tuesday’s Champions Dinner.

Dressed in black, Phil Mickelson teed off at #The150thOpen and said he didn’t attend the champions’ dinner this week because the R&A told him the club didn’t “think it’s a great idea you go.” He and others have joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
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— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) July 14, 2022

Mickelson said on Thursday:

“(The R&A) said, ‘Look, we don’t think it’s a great idea you go, but if you want to, you can…’ I just didn’t want to make a big deal about it, so I said fine. We both kind of agreed that it would be best if I didn’t.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It sounded like Mickelson wasn’t too bothered by the snub, as he said he’s enjoyed his time at the Old Course. That includes a first-round 72 to put him at even par in the championship—a much better start than his brief U.S. Open stay.

Phil said:

“I love being here. Everybody here loves golf, and we find this place to be very spiritual… As great as this game has been to me, to be able to come here to the (Home of Golf) and compete again … it’s just a special place.”

Cover Image Via NY Post