Opinion: Give Mickelson a Mulligan

As the golf world knows, Phil Mickelson boldly stated that the Saudis are “scary motherf**kers” with “a horrible record on human rights.” However, he would still consider joining the proposed Saudi Golf League, “because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the PGA Tour.” His statement was recklessly candid and outside the white stakes, but Phil did not deserve the gnashing of teeth and condemnation heaped upon him by sponsors, journalists, and players.

KPMG, Amstel Light, and other sponsors immediately dropped Phil and ran for the hills. Callaway paused their lifetime agreement and American Express dumped him and his charitable foundation from their tournament.

Of course, this is no surprise. When it comes to loyalty, corporate sponsors traditionally rank lower than Benedict Arnold, Judas Iscariot, and my ex-girlfriend. Yes, I’m still bitter.

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Fellow players attacked Phil. Rory McIlroy said, “I don’t want to kick someone while he’s down” then thoroughly trashed Phil, calling him “naive, selfish, egotistical, and ignorant.”  And Billy Horschel piled on and called him “idiotic.”

The only name they didn’t call Phil was “poopy head”, the preferred insult of my five year old niece.  Apparently, it is acceptable to besmirch a fellow player and a legend of the game, but whatever you do, don’t criticize Saudi Arabia or the PGA.

Journalists have called Phil a “pariah” and ESPN described his actions as a “failed coup”. Phil’s effort to challenge the PGA was quickly elevated to the same level as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, Storming the Bastille, and Arab Spring. Calm down. Phil does not want to overthrow the PGA, just improved it.

So, let’s get real. Phil was right about Saudi Arabia. It is the world’s largest sand trap for human rights violations. Phil does not condone their cultural practices or government policies. He does not want to trade in his visor for a turban. 

Furthermore, it is rumored that the Saudi League’s rules will be based on grotesquely punitive Sharia Law. For example, if you are caught improving your lie, officials will have the right to remove your golf glove with your hand still in it. And if a player says he lost two balls the prior week, he may not be talking about his Titleists.

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And Phil is also right about the PGA.  He claims, “they’ve been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because the players have no recourse.” Commissioner Jay Monahan claims this is not true, but has threatened Phil with possible fines, banishment, the destruction of any statues or bobbleheads bearing his likeness, and the loss of rights to spot-a-pot usage during future tournaments.

Phil’s use of the Saudi League to gain leverage over the PGA has been characterized as “despicably immoral,” and “unprincipled.”  These were comments made by various journalists who drive golf carts powered by Saudi gas, use cell phones made in China, and wear golf slacks sewn by child labor in Indonesia.

In addition, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and other high-profile PGA Tour players blew off the longstanding Pebble Beach Tournament to play in the higher paying Saudi International. And KPMG, one of the sponsors that dumped Phil, has been doing business with Saudi monarchs for years. There is no moral high ground left for the groundskeepers to mow.  Everyone has been dancing with the devil, Phil just found a new way to tango.

And there is nothing novel or sinister about Phil’s approach. It’s called negotiation. We all do it. We play one car dealership against another, lowball real estate agents, get competing bids from contractors, and stand on the first tee lying about our handicaps and haggling for as many strokes as we can get. It’s not about greed, it’s about obtaining maximum value.

I love the PGA Tour. I go to sleep each night listening to the theme from the Masters. It would break my heart to see the top professionals divided up between the PGA Tour and the Saudi League. It would be like watching my grandparents divorce.

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Just imagine the PGA Tour, steeped in tradition, being replaced with the superficial, money driven Saudi League. It would be like NASCAR changing from stock cars to Porsches, replacing St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a Vegas Sports Betting Parlor, or replacing the Easter Bunny with a Playboy Bunny.  On second thought, this might not be a good argument.

So why is everyone throwing Phil under the bus. Phil should not be killed for having an opinion. That’s what they do in Saudi Arabia. Phil has done nothing horrible or atrocious. He didn’t invade Ukraine, shout “Let’s go Brandon” during a player’s backswing, or get caught having an affair with Whoopie Goldberg,

Phil has spent a lifetime of treating fans with respect and dedicating himself to the sport. He is a relatable and unabridged hero to the common fan. We all screw up. We all hit drives out of bounds. We all hate our bosses and think we’re underpaid. And we all think the Saudis are scary and the PGA is pretentious. The fans get it. So, Phil will survive this controversy and his golf shirt will once again be littered with corporate logos.

Golf is a business and Phil is standing in the tee box preparing to drive a hard bargain. He wants the PGA to survive but wants some changes that would benefit every member of the tour. While other players are running for cover and pledging their undying allegiance to the PGA, Phil is seizing the opportunity and leading a gallant charge. He is not a pariah, he is not a greedy bastard, he is Lawrence of Arabia. Give him a mulligan and welcome him back.

Cover Photo via Twitter