McIlroy says PGA Tour players want to see Mickelson return

Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday he expects six-time major winner Phil Mickelson to bounce back from the comments on the proposed Saudi-backed Super League that cost him sponsors and a return to the PGA Tour.

The Northern Ireland star was among those who were critical of Mickelson's comments, as relayed by author Alan Shipnuck via the Fire Pit Collective website.

Mickelson, 51, called the Saudi partners "scary" but said he was willing to overlook what he called a "horrible record on human rights."

He cited the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said he wasn't even sure if he wanted the proposed Super League to survive - but he wanted to use it for leverage against the PGA Tour.

Mickelson has slammed the "strong arm tactics" of the US Tour and commissioner Jay Monahan, saying tour financial policies rob players of deserved money-making opportunities.

"As nice a guy as (PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan) comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won't do what's right. And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage," Mickelson said.

A string of sponsors dropped Mickelson, and fellow PGA Tour pros criticised him.

McIlroy himself called Mickelson's comments "naive, egotistical, selfish, ignorant."

But speaking to reporters on Wednesday before the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida, McIlroy was more conciliatory.

"It is unfortunate," McIlroy said. "I think Phil has been a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf, still is a wonderful ambassador."

In apologising for his comments, Mickelson acknowledged that they were "reckless" but added that he thought he was making them off the record.

He said he would be taking a break from golf.

"We all make mistakes," McIlroy added. "We all