“Unfortunate and sad” Phil Mickelson not being at PGA Championship, says Rory McIlroy
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Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson
Irish golfer Rory McIlroy was amongst the initial few names to criticize Phil Mickelson over his ‘reckless’ remarks on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, the latter’s absence from the upcoming 2022 PGA Championship at the Southern Hills Championship Course has become the biggest news in the golfing world.
McIlroy also took a soft side on this matter, calling the defending champion’s absence ‘sad’ and ‘unfortunate’. Notably, the 51-year-old, who became the oldest major champion in golf when he triumphed at Kiawah Island, has not played competitively since his controversial comments regarding the Greg Norman-led Saudi-funded LIV Golf league.
“This should be a celebration,” McIlroy said of Mickelson defending the title he won to become the oldest player ever to win a major championship. “He won a major championship at 50 years old. It was possibly his last big, big moment in the game of golf. I think he should be here this week and celebrating what a monumental achievement he achieved last year. It’s unfortunate. It’s sad. Yeah, I don’t know what else I can say.”
“My stance has softened over last few weeks”
During the further interaction, the Irishman reckoned that Phil’s words have come up with inevitable consequences that he’ll have to live with. McIlroy, who is going to compete at the PGA Championship, stated that he’s softened his stance on the 6-time major champion.
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“He’s decided and has to live with certain consequences,” McIlroy said. “People can say there were actions, but for the most part they were words. And I think people can be forgiven for words.
He added: “I came out a little strongly against him at the start, but my stance has definitely softened over the last few weeks. Phil Mickelson has been a legend in our game for the last 30 years and I certainly don’t think he should be shut out of the game. Whenever he comes back, he should be … maybe just a little more gracious.”
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Sachin Arora
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