Legend has it that Marcus Licinius Crassus of Rome was killed by rebellious men, whom he led in an unsuccessful battle, who poured molten gold around their leader's neck in mockery of their thirst for wealth. Philip Alfred Mickelson of Rancho Santa Fe, on the other hand, was only left by his bootless soldiers, as the reason he employed them slipped away. As for the symbolic suffocation on unnecessary greed, he himself served that perishable cocktail and swallowed it.
Apologies are less about atonement for past mistakes than about setting the table for future humor, so it was worth mentioning that Mickelson's statement released Tuesday most likely did not direct atonement to those whom he insulted. but for those to whom he told the truth.
There was no mention of the PGA Tour or its commissioner, Jay Monahan, whom he accused of "coercive, strong-arm" tactic in remarks by writer Alan Shipnk, which were made public six days earlier, a conversation in which Mickelson told Admitted Saudi ignored atrocities because the regime offered benefits from the tour to make concessions that would further enrich him. But for LIV Golf Investments, the Anodine brand, from which the messengers of the world's leading bonsaw enthusiasts are attempting to launch a hostile takeover of men's professional golf, received much praise.
Hailing the Saudis as "visionaries" who "love golf" represents a dizzying axis, noting that last week Mickelson called them "horror mother-es," murderers and human rights abusers. said. But perhaps he learned from the example of Jamal Khashoggi that in the circles of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Les-Majeste laws are certainly unforgivable.
Mickelson's entire statement was a self-serving trope in which she shamelessly poses as Rosa Parks for the rich, standing up against injustice and "taking the hits publicly" that such displays of courage are. His golf fans would believe that he is martyring himself for the betterment of the game, while in fact he has associated himself with people who are vastly experienced in making martyrs.
"It has always been about supporting the players and the game and I appreciate everyone who has given me the benefit of the doubt," he wrote.
The timing of Mickelson's post was not a coincidence. The very moment Monahan stood up in a hotel ballroom in Florida to reiterate to his members that any commitment to the Saudi-financed Super Golf League would result in a ban on players, Mickelson hit 'send' at his praise for the Saudis, With whom he "worked". That breakaway tour. It was another insult, an excuse for an apology.
Still, Mickelson's outspoken admission that he worked to establish a rival circuit should face disciplinary action, perhaps even a lifetime ban from the Tour that enriched him, regardless of how much of that bullion was left. Ho.
If Monahan needed receipts before banning, Mickelson did the cashier himself.
Mickelson appears to have favored the Saudis, suggesting three possibilities.
- He genuinely believes that his concept is best for the future of golf, a hypothesis that can be discounted because it is based on the unreliable assumption that he may have philanthropic motives.
- That his grievances against Tour overshadowed his decision would not shock the victims of his frequent gripe in recent years.
- Or, despite all the new bonuses and purse increases, the PGA Tour might not be providing him as fast as he should.
Mickelson concluded by saying that he would take the time, pointing to personal issues and perhaps a warning of what was to come. There may be no joy in seeing a man's private suffering (and that of his family) so publicly, but neither can those issues be wrapped up as veils on indulgence with cruelty for personal gain. .
Falling from grace in the game can be slow and based on unethical behavior like that of Lance Armstrong. Or, like Tiger Woods, increasingly and due to personal shortcomings. Mickelson set a new standard for outrageous insults brought on by her association with a murderous government as she was denied permission to use media she doesn't own to create content that some People will buy.
No doubt he envisions himself as a pioneer—a "disruptor", naming bullshitters—but Mickelson is setting off in search of new gold from a mine that has been depleted. What has fallen short is his comrades' tolerance, his self-esteem, his mercenary selfishness, and his blatant indifference to the abuses of his colleagues in Riyadh.
"Everyone is tired of Phil," wrote one desperate player. "Just a consensus."
If Mickelson chooses to move on—or if he is led by Monahan to a door marked 'Exit'—he must grieve. He has been the second most sublime player of his generation, has set a record as one of the greatest of all time, and fans have been intrigued by the way that Arnold Palmer was compared, no matter what. No matter how fraudulent the performance may be.
Grieved, but did not remember.
Hours before Mickelson was back on the field, sixteen hungry men lined up on a non-descript course in Florida for a sudden death playoff to earn a spot at this week's Honda Classic. Fifteen of them had nothing but a dream to someday receive the prizes that Mickelson considers insufficient. If their space in the locker room is cleared, there will be no shortage of qualified takers. The game will survive his tragic unraveling. We can only hope that he does too.