Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty
Phil Mickelson’s name is no longer on the list of competitors in the upcoming 2022 Masters Tournament.
An official for Augusta Nationalconfirmed to ESPNthat Mickelson won’t take part in the prestigious tournament, which is set to take place in Georgia starting April 7.
Mickelson has competed in the event for 28 years, starting in 1994, ESPN reported. This year would have marked the champion golfer’s 30th Masters start.
A representative for Mickelson did not comment to PEOPLE.
The golfer, regarded as one of the world’s best, has won six majors during his career, most recently the PGA Championship in 2021. Mickelson has won the Masters three times: in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
Phil Mickelson.Gregory Shamus/Getty
Saudi Arabia has long been criticized for human rights abuses and violence, including the prominent murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S.-based Saudi journalist who had been publicly critical of the country’s government, in 2018.
Calling the Saudis “scary motherf—— to get involved with,” Mickelson told Shipnuck, “We know they killed [Washington Postreporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay.”
He continued, “Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”
At the time, Mickelson announced his intention to take a step back from the spotlight. Said Mickelson, “I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.”
source: people.com
