Rory McIlroy calls fallout from Phil Mickelson's Saudi golf league remarks 'unfortunate'

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Despite Phil Mickelson’s comments about the Saudi-backed golf league which would rival the PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy said Wednesday that "Lefty" deserved a second chance.

McIlroy told reporters ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational it was "unfortunate" that Mickelson was being ostracized so much over his comments about Saudi Arabia.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Phil Mickelson speaks after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament on the Ocean Course, Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

"I think Phil has been a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf, still is a wonderful ambassador for the game of golf. It’s unfortunate that a few comments that he thought he was making in confidence or off the record got out there. This whole situation is unfortunate," he said, via Golf Week.

"Look, Phil will be back. I think the players want to see him back. He’s done such a wonderful job for the game of golf, and he’s represented the game of golf very, very well for the entirety of his career."

McIlroy added that everyone should be allowed to "make mistakes" and "ask for forgiveness."

"Hopefully, he comes back at some stage, and he will, and people will welcome him back and be glad that he is back," he said.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, tees off on the second hole during the final round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)

PHIL MICKELSON MIGHT NOT HAVE TIME HE NEEDS TO RECOVER

Mickelson apologized for the comments about Saudi Arabia amid losing