Phil Mickelson is out as the host of The American Express which is played each January in Coachella Valley, California. The Palm Springs Desert Sun reported Saturday that the PGA Tour has confirmed that Mickelson will not be a future host after having held the event in this capacity for the past three years. The tournament's charitable arm, the Mickelson Foundation, will also no longer be a part of the event, Tour said.
The American Express moves come among other sponsors distanced themselves from Mickelson this week after a potential Saudi-backed golf league and his confirmation with controversial comments published by the Fire Pit Collective.
On Friday, Mickelson's longtime equipment partner, Callaway Golf, said it was "pausing" its relationship with the six-time major winner, and Workday confirmed that it would be Mickelson when his current endorsement deal expires in March. Will end his relationship with Heineken has already said that he is breaking up with the World Golf Hall of Famer.
Mickelson, 51, has been a leading figure in Tour events in La Quinta, Calif., for over two decades. He has made 19 appearances on The American Express (still known to many as Bob Hope) and won it twice, in 2002 and 2004.
Mickelson said in a statement on February 22 that he "extremely" needed time off from competition and had no indication when he might return to the PGA Tour.