AUGUSTA, Ga. — After missing the Masters for the first time in 28 years in 2022, Phil Mickelson is back at Augusta National Golf Club for what he called his «favorite week.» Mickelson, a three-time Masters champion, didn't play last year after his comments about the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian monarchy's history of human rights abuses were published by author Alan Shipnuck.
Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said last year that Mickelson wasn't uninvited to the tournament and that he chose not to play. «It's great,» Mickelson said. «It's fun to be back.
Everyone has been wonderful.» Mickelson has been at the center of the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf League for the best players in the world.
The PGA Tour suspended Mickelson for recruiting players to the new circuit, which is being fronted by Greg Norman and financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.