Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee claims four out of the six paragraphs in Mickelson statement were spin and damage control
Accounting giants KPMG and Phil Mickelson have ended their relationship following golfer's comments last week about Saudi Arabia and a new Golf Super League. Another Mickelson sponsor, Amstel Light Bears, has also terminated its partnership.
Mickelson, 51, caused an uproar when golf writer Alan Shipnk released an excerpt from his forthcoming unofficial biography of the six-time major champion. Mickelson described the Saudis as "scary" but said he was looking at their controversial history of human rights violations by working with the Saudi-backed tour to leverage with the PGA Tour.
“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."
The comments have been the result of Rory McIlroy at the Riviera on Sunday labeling him as "naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant". Nor were sponsors affected.
"KPMG US and Phil Mickelson have mutually agreed to terminate our sponsorship effective immediately," 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."
Mickelson posted a lengthy statement on Tuesday attempting to explain his discussions with LIV Golf Investments, which is launching a new tour backed by Saudi Arabia's 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.
With $46.1 million, Mickelson is ranked 21st on Sportico's list of the world's highest-paid athletes in 2021. Following his surprise PGA Championship in May, the tally included $42 million, attendance fees and bonuses from sponsors. Only Tiger Woods ($62.2m) earned more among golfers.
Reputably, his statement has cut a bit of ice with opinion-makers — critics have weighed in, not least Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chambly. He told Golf Channel: "The statement was six paragraphs," the first paragraph being about her pretending to be a victim. The second paragraph was about him pretending to be an activist. The third and fourth paragraphs spoke about spin damage control being paid to them now or definitely in the future when you consider that they wrote the Saudi operating agreement for this tour.
"The last two paragraphs he was reminding everyone that he's a good guy."
In his statement, Mickelson concluded: "I have experienced many successful and rewarding moments that I will always cherish, but I have often failed myself and others as well.
"Over the past 10 years I've felt the pressure and stress slowly affect me on a deeper level. I know I haven't been my best and need some time to prioritize the ones I love the most. In dire need and I want to work on being the man I want to be."
Chambly insisted that golf and the PGA Tour were in a good place and dismissed Mickelson's contention that the game desperately needed a change.
"How is it (golf) in dire need of change?" Chamli said. "The game of golf is booming. [golf manufacturers] are having to deal with supplies for the first time. Do they have enough supplies to offer all the fans of the sport who are playing record numbers. The PGA Tour is exceptional. doing well."
Chambal considered four of the six paragraphs in Mickelson's statement to be spin and damage control.
"You can get rid of the first two paragraphs," he said. "You can get rid of the last two paragraphs. And really just focus on the third and fourth paragraphs, that was the statement. It's more about damage control with LIV golf investing. It's money and control to Phil And it was more about working on both sides of the road.
Chambly said: "With the PGA Tour [in statement] there was no effort to repair the fence. They put in a lot of effort to fix the fence with LIV Golf. There was a lot of effort, because it was money and control." is about."