Phil Mickelson defends Saudi-backed LIV Series but will not quit PGA Tour

Phil Mickelson stressed he does not condone human rights violations on the eve of the first Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series event at Centurion Club outside London.

Mickelson described the Saudis as “scary motherfuckers” and said he was well aware of Saudi Arabia’s “horrible record on human rights” – including the murder of the Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi – in an interview with the author of a new unauthorised biography. Yet he added that working with the Saudis was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates”, also accusing the Tour of “obnoxious greed”.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Mickelson said: “I don’t condone human rights violations at all. I’m certainly aware of what has happened with Jamal Khashoggi and I think it’s terrible. I have also seen the good that the game of golf has done throughout history and I believe LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well.”

While a number of players have resigned from the PGA Tour in order to compete in the LIV Golf events, Mickelson said he had no intention of following suit. “I earned my lifetime membership and I don’t want to give that up, I don’t believe I should have to,” the six-time major winner added. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I have earned that [lifetime membership)] and I don’t plan on just giving that up.”

Mickelson refused to confirm or deny if he had been suspended, or currently was, from the PGA Tour. “I choose not to speak publicly on PGA Tour issues at this time,” he said.

He also declined to confirm if he is receiving $200m to compete in the LIV Golf events, but his answer indicated that the reported amount may be accurate. “I feel that contract agreements should be