Accounting giants KPMG and Phil Mickelson ended their relationship on Tuesday, following golfer's comments published last week about Saudi Arabia and a new Golf Super League. Later in the day, another Mickelson sponsor, Amstel Light Bears, also terminated their partnership.
"KPMG US and Phil Mickelson have mutually agreed to terminate our sponsorship with immediate effect," KPMG's statement issued by the company said. "We wish him the best."
A spokesman for Amstel's parent Heineken told Sportico on Tuesday night: "We have made the decision to go our separate ways and end Amstel Light's partnership with Phil Mickelson. We wish him all the best."
The parting comes on the heels of Alan Shipnk, who revealed the comments Joe Mickelson made to the longtime golf writer before his unofficial biography was set for publication in the spring.
“We know that he (Washington Post columnist Jamal) killed Khashoggi and he has a terrible record on human rights,” Mickelson told Shipunk. "They kill people out there for being gay. Knowing all this, why should I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the way the PGA Tour operates."
On Tuesday afternoon, Mickelson posted a lengthy statement on social media attempting to explain his discussions with LIV Golf Investments, which is launching a new tour backed by Saudi Arabia money with Greg Norman. Mickelson addressed his sponsors about his desire not to "compromise him or his business in any way". He gave all his sponsors the right to stop or terminate their relationship. KPMG, which has several offices in Saudi Arabia, was the first to pull the plug. This ends a relationship that dates back to 2008.
Mickelson's other sponsors include Workday, Callaway, Rolex, Mizen + Maine, Intrepid Financial Partners, Vistajet and Melin, according to their website. Sportico contacted all of them about whether they would continue their relationship with Mickelson, but only heard from KPMG and later Amstel Light by press time.