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sports Tuesday 7 June 2022
Mickelson the last to sign up for Saudi-funded golf league

By DOUG FERGUSON the Public Investment Fund
AP Golf Writer in Saudi Arabia.
Phil Mickelson, a chief re- “His contributions to the
cruiter for a Saudi-funded ri- sport and connection to
val league to the PGA Tour, fans around the globe can-
is ending his four-month hi- not be overstated and we
atus by adding his name to are grateful to have him,”
the 48-man field for the LIV said Greg Norman, the
Golf Invitational that starts CEO and commissioner
Friday outside London. of LIV Golf Investments.
Mickelson will be joining “He strengthens an excit-
Dustin Johnson, Sergio Gar- ing field for London where
cia and three other former we’re proud to launch a
major champions in a 54- new era for golf.”
hole tournament at Cen- The PGA Tour did not grant
turion Golf Club with $25 releases for any of its 14
million in prize money and members who have signed
$4 million going to the indi- up for the rival series, a list
vidual winner. that also includes Louis
“I am ready to come back Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer
to play the game I love but and Charl Schwartzel.
after 32 years this new path Five other players from the
is a fresh start, one that is Asian Tour were added as
exciting for me at this stage Phil Mickelson hits his tee shot on the fifth hole of the South Course at Torrey Pines during the first exemptions.
of my career,” Mickelson round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament, Jan. 26, 2022, in San Diego. Even as Mickelson was the
Associated Press
said in a statement posted leader in trying to get play-
on social media. edly paid to Johnson. Saudi Arabia’s human ments, without mentioning ers to join, his name was left
Mickelson also said he It will be Mickelson’s first rights atrocities, includ- the PGA Tour. off the original field list that
would be playing the last time playing since Feb. 6 ing the killing of Washing- But then he was out of view was released on Tuesday.
two majors, starting June at the Saudi International, ton Post columnist Jamal for four months, skipping The Daily Telegraph re-
16 in the U.S. Open at The where he first began to Khashoggi, but said it was the Masters and the PGA ported Johnson, at No. 15
Country Club outside Bos- draw attention to how he worth getting involved if it Championship, which he the highest-ranked player
ton. was leaning when he ac- meant gaining leverage to had won the year before at in the world, received up-
He said the “transforma- cused the PGA Tour of “ob- make changes on the PGA age 50 to become the old- ward of $125 million to join.
tive” new league would noxious greed” in an inter- Tour. est major champion in his- The decision likely means
allow him to focus on a view with Golf Digest. Mickelson also said he tory. Mickelson apologized the end of Mickelson’s ca-
healthier approach to Two weeks later, Alan Ship- and three other top play- again in Monday’s state- reer on the PGA Tour be-
life on and off the course. nuck published excerpts ers paid attorneys to write ment, adding that he “em- cause players who defect
Mickelson did not mention from his unauthorized bi- the operating agreement pathizes” with those who are likely to face suspen-
the signing fee, which is ography on Mickelson in of the new league. He lat- disagree with his decision sions for violating tour regu-
likely to be every bit of the which the six-time major er apologized for what he to leave the PGA Tour for a lations by playing overseas
$125 million or more report- champion acknowledged said were reckless com- league funded primarily by without a release.q

Jack Nicklaus to become honorary

citizen of St. Andrews

By DOUG FERGUSON conferred by the Royal being an honorary citizen,”
AP Golf Writer Burgh of St. Andrews Com- Nicklaus said at the Memo-
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Jack munity Council, which is the rial.
Nicklaus is returning to St. equivalent of the “Freedom “I couldn’t turn that down.
Andrews to become an of the City” honor given to There’s no way in the world
honorary citizen. Jones. I could turn that down,
Nicklaus won two of his Nicklaus retired from com- not with Bobby Jones and
three British Open titles at petitive golf with that final Benjamin Franklin the only
St. Andrews, and he chose appearance at St. An- other two Americans who
the Old Course in 2005 to drews, his 164th major. He have done it. So, I’m going
play his final major champi- won a record 18 of them, back.”
onship. including three at golf’s The ceremony will be on
He already has received oldest championship. He Tuesday, July 12. Nicklaus
an honorary doctorate de- missed the cut but finished said he would not be tak-
gree from the University of with a birdie as thousands ing part in the “Champions
St Andrews, and now he crammed into balconies Challenge” on Monday of
joins truly exclusive com- and peered through win- Open week, which brings
pany. The only other Ameri- dows from hotels overlook- together past champions Billy Horschel, right, poses with Jack Nicklaus after winning the
Memorial golf tournament Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Dublin, Ohio.
cans to be awarded hon- ing the Old Course. for a four-hole exhibition Associated Press
orary citizenship in St. An- Nicklaus said he left with on the first, second, 17th
drews are Bobby Jones in great memories in 2005 and 18th holes of the Old not even going to take my grees to golf greats Lee Tre-
1958 and Benjamin Franklin and had no plans to return. Course. clubs.” vino, Sandy Lyle, Jose Ma-
in 1759. “And then they wrote and “I’m not going to play any St Andrews also will confer ria Olazabal, Bob Charles
The honor for Nicklaus was asked me if I would accept golf,” Nicklaus said. “I’m honorary doctorate de- and Catriona Matthew.q