PGA of America hopes to avoid 'circus' with Phil Mickelson's potential appearance at upcoming major

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The PGA Championship is about a week away from teeing off and the possibility of Phil Mickelson returning to the golf course for the event raised eyebrows for PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

It’s unclear whether Mickelson will actually participate but he was listed in the field along with Tiger Woods, according to PGATour.com. "Lefty" applied to play in the major and also LIV Golf’s first event next month. His links to the Saud-funded rival golf league and his published remarks about Saudi Arabia have been controversial. He hasn’t played in an event since February.

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Phil Mickelson hits off the 16th tee during the final round at the PGA Championship on May 23, 2021, in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Mickelson won the PGA Championship last year – the second time he’s won the event.

Waugh said in a recent interview on the "Five Clubs" podcast he hopes to avoid a chaotic atmosphere at the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"I hope what we can do is have that [the press conference] before the flag goes up," Waugh said, via The Comeback. "The idea is if he does play, and if he’s able to and allowed to… he would certainly have to face the media. But I hope it’s Monday or Tuesday… What we’re trying to do is deliver a major championship, not a circus."

Mickelson drew chaotic crowds at the PGA Championship last year in South Carolina, which frustrated Brooks Koepka and forced the PGA to apologize.

Phil Mickelson during a practice round prior to the PIF Saudi International on Feb. 1, 2022, in Al Murooj, Saudi Arabia. (Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)

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