PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan on Phil Mickelson: "The ball is in his court"

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has said they are focusing on "legacy, not leverage" ahead of The Players Championship. 

Speaking to the media ahead of the unofficial fifth major, Monahan had one message for the PGA Tour members: "Let's move on". 

His comments appear to be a direct response to rival golf leagues and Phil Mickelson, who made explosive comments about the tour. 

Mickelson told the biographer Alan Shipnuck that he was sidling up against the Saudis to create leverage against the PGA Tour. 

Lefty, 51, was content with trying to kick start the super golf league with Greg Norman because he was unhappy with the tour setup. 

One of Mickelson's gripes was down to his lack of control over his media rights, and he accused the PGA Tour of hoarding players' money. 

Such was the fall back from his comments - which were viewed as amoral - some of his sponsors terminated their associations with him. 

More: Tiger Woods on his HOF induction: "I wish my dad was here"

More: The best club snaps of all time!

His long time, and biggest sponsor, Callaway Golf, have opted to pause their association with Mickelson after he accused the PGA Tour of "obnoxious greed".  

They will revisit their working relationship at a later date. 

Monahan said: "The PGA Tour is moving on. We have too much momentum and too much to accomplish to be continuously distracted by rumours of other golf leagues and their attempts to disrupt our players, our partners and most importantly our fans." 

He was asked if he believed the PGA Tour will eventually end up in court with Norman's LIV Golf Investments. 

While he wouldn't directly comment on that, he said: "I believe that our players are committed to the PGA Tour."

He said "you have heard from the players directly" and that he has "a pretty good sense of every player and where they [the players] stand". 

Multiple players, including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele publicly committed their allegiances to the PGA Tour going forward. 

That was after weeks of rumours about them potentially signing up with the new concept.

"Ultimately, the conversation will be had when he's ready to have it, and I'll be ready to have it as well."



Jay Monahan says "the ball is in his court," regarding Phil Mickelson pic.twitter.com/eHZwsaS4Ov

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 8, 2022

Then the topic turned to Mickelson. 

Monahan explained that "the ball is in his court". 

He said: "He is stepping away [and] wants time for reflection. When he is ready to come back to the PGA Tour we will have a conversation. That is a conversation we look forward to."

Has he spoken to Mickelson since those explosive comments?

Monahan said: "I have not talked to Phil since he made his comments and since he said that he was stepping away. Like I said, 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. Listen, he's a player that's won 45 times on the PGA Tour. He's had a hall of fame career.

"He's won here at The Players Championship. He's inspired a lot of people and helped grow this tour, his tour. So as difficult as it is to read some of the things that were said, ultimately a conversation will be had when he's ready to have it, and I will be ready to have it, as well.

He did not confirm if Mickelson was currently serving a suspension. "We do not comment on disciplinary matters".

Next page: Six of Phil Mickelson's biggest controversies