Phil Mickelson refuses to confirm or deny PGA ban for involvement in LIV Golf

Phil Mickelson has refused to confirm or deny if he has been banned or suspended by the PGA Tour for his involvement in the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series.

Mickelson has not competed since February’s Saudi International, missing the Masters and his title defence in the US PGA Championship following the fallout from his explosive comments about Saudi Arabia and the PGA Tour.

The six-time major winner described the Saudis as “scary m************” and said he was well aware of Saudi Arabia’s “horrible record on human rights” – including the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi – in an interview with the author of an unauthorised biography.

Yet he added that working with the Saudis was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates” and also accused the Tour of “obnoxious greed”.

The 51-year-old’s lengthy absence led to speculation that he had been suspended, but speaking at a press conference ahead of the first LIV Golf event at Centurion Club, Mickelson refused to confirm if he had been suspended, or currently was.

“I choose not to speak publicly on PGA Tour issues at this time,” he said.

Mickelson also declined to confirm if he was receiving USD 200million (£159.5m) to compete in the LIV Golf events, but his answer indicated that the reported amount may well be accurate.

“I feel that contract agreements should be private,” Mickelson added. “Doesn’t seem to be the case, but it should be.”

An unshaven Mickelson was unusually subdued throughout the press conference, often pausing before answering questions and choosing his words carefully.

“I have really enjoyed my time on the PGA Tour,” he said when asked how he ended up representing the people he claimed he was