PGA Tour chief says Phil Mickelson has ‘ball in his court’ in league feud

Any outbreak of peace between Phil Mickelson and the PGA Tour will need to be instigated by the player. Jay Monahan, the Tour’s commissioner, stated that “the ball is in his court” after Mickelson’s comments about a Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway league. Mickelson is in the midst of a break from golf at his own behest but Monahan did not dismiss the idea of suspension for the six-time major winner.

“He has said that he’s stepping away and he wants time for reflection,” said Monahan. “That’s something that I and we are going to respect and honour. When he’s ready to come back to the PGA Tour, we’re going to have that conversation. That’s a conversation I look forward to.

“I have not talked to Phil since he made his comments and since he said that he was stepping away. I think the ball is in his court. I would welcome a phone call from him. But it’s hard for me to talk about the different scenarios that could play out.” A key intrigue surrounds whether Mickelson will end his break from the game at next month’s Masters, an event he has won three times.

The Tour never reveal details of player sanctions. Still, it was notable that Monahan refused to confirm whether Mickelson would have been welcome to feature in this week’s Players Championship had he chosen to do so. “He stepped away on his own accord and he asked for time,” the commissioner added. “He’s been given that time. We don’t comment on disciplinary matters, potential matters or actual matters. But every player is accountable for their actions out here.”

Before Monahan spoke, Rory McIlroy had publicly called for the Tour to change their approach about players who breach the rules. “I think transparency and maybe it not being as closed a shop,” said McIlroy of what