Phil Mickelson withdraws from PGA Championship amid controversy

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Phil Mickelson will not defend his title at the PGA Championship this year amid fallout from his comments about Saudi Arabia and his links to the Saudi-funded rival golf league, the PGA of America announced Friday.

The organization was informed that Mickelson was withdrawing from the tournament even though the PGA welcomed his participation. Mickelson becomes just the third PGA champion not to defend his title in the last 75 years.

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"We have just been informed that Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the PGA Championship," a PGA statement said. "Phil is the defending champion and currently eligible to be a PGA life member, and we would have welcomed him to participate. We wish Phil and Amy the very best and look forward to his return to golf."

Phil Mickelson plays a shot from the second tee during the second round of the Tournament of Champions Jan. 7, 2022, at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii.  (AP Photo/Matt York, file)

At age 50, Mickelson became the oldest champion in 161 years of the majors, but the four-time PGA Tour winner has not played since Feb. 6 after he accused the PGA Tour of "obnoxious greed" in an interview with Golf Digest.

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Two weeks later, in an excerpt from Alan Shipnuck’s unauthorized biography to be released next week, Mickelson revealed how he had been working behind the scenes to promote the rival league funded by the Public Investment Fund and run by Greg Norman.

Phil Mickelson speaks after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course, May 23,