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Phil Mickelson said he is playing in next week’s U.S. Open.
The member of the World Golf Hall of Fame also said he plans to play in all eight of the LIV Golf Invitational Series events this year, beginning Thursday in the inaugural tournament at the Centurion Club outside of London.
And Mickelson said he will not resign his PGA Tour membership.
In a wide-ranging, exclusive interview with Bob Harig of SI.com/Morning Read posted Monday, the winner of 45 PGA Tour titles and six major championships broke his silence of nearly four months to address a number of topics.
Mickelson, 51, has been in a self-imposed exile since disparaging remarks he made about the PGA Tour’s “dictatorship” and the horrendous human rights record of the oppressive Saudi Arabia regime which is backing the upstart LIV Golf Invitational Series spearheaded by Greg Norman became public.
Mickelson last played on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He missed the Masters and the PGA Championship, where he would have defended his title won in 2021 on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island when he became the oldest player to ever win a major.
“It’s been a tremendous opportunity for me to spend time with (wife) Amy and loved ones that I’ve never really had this opportunity to do in my life,” Mickelson said about his time away from the game. “I’ve been able to be much more present and engaged when I’m with the people I love. I feel much more healthy and at peace. I’ve spent a lot of time doing therapy and dealing with issues that I have.
“But I’ve come away with a balance in my life and a renewed excitement and energy to get back to playing golf.”
Harig asked 16 questions in a phone interview before Mickelson boarded a plane to fly to London. Mickelson said he’s excited about the team format LIV Golf is presenting, the 54-hole, no-cut, 48-man fields that will play eight events featuring more than $255 million in prize money.
“I think after doing this for 30 years,…
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Source : yahoo
