Golfer Phil Mickelson apologizes for comments over reported Saudi-backed tour while saying they were off the record

By David Close, CNN

Updated 0745 GMT (1545 HKT) February 23, 2022

Phil Mickelson during day three of the PIF Saudi International on February 05, 2022, in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia.

(CNN)Six-time golf major winner Phil Mickelson said Tuesday that recent comments he made regarding a reported breakaway golf tour were off the record — a claim the reporter who interviewed him has denied — and said they were shared out of context and without his consent.

The Super League is reportedly aSaudi-backed proposed venture that is attempting to attract golfers away from golf's main tours, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, with offers of big money.Some of the world's top professional golfers have recently reiterated their commitment to the PGA Tour, including Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.But last week, Mickelson was quoted from a 2021 interview with author Alan Shipnuck for his upcoming book, «Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar,» as saying that he would consider joining the proposed Super League because it is a «once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.»The player is further quoted as saying, «Saudi money has finally given us (players) that leverage» to be able to change things about the PGA. Read MoreShipnuck quoted Mickelson as saying disparaging things about Saudi Arabia's human rights record and asserting that the kingdom killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi.«My actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans,» Mickelson said in his Tuesday statement. «I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions. It was reckless, I offended people, and I