Three times Phil Mickelson Masters Winner is back at Augusta National just a year after sitting out the tournament due to the controversy that followed his comments about Saudi Arabia and LIV Golf.
Despite the time out, Mickelson apparently had little say at Tuesday’s Dinner of Champions, hosted this year in honor of the 2022 winner. Scottie Scheffler.
Phil Mickelson of the United States talks with his caddy Tim Mickelson warms up in the practice area during a practice round ahead of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Two-time Major winner Fuzzy Zoeller, who donned the coveted green jacket in 1979, told The Augusta Chronicle that Mickelson «didn’t speak at all» during the annual dinner.
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«We’re just 33 past champions in a room, all trying to get along,» he told the outlet. «No one said a word about it. Phil sat near the end of the table and kept to himself. He didn’t speak at all.»
Tommy Aaron, the 1973 champion, confirmed this, adding that Mickelson was strangely «calm.»
Phil Mickelson waits to tee off on the 16th hole during the first round of the US Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Brookline, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Julio Cortes)
«I wished him good luck, but I couldn’t believe how quiet he was. Phil kept a very low profile. He didn’t say a word.»
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The six-time Grand Slam winner took the golfing world by storm last year when he became one of the first big-name golfers to endorse the rival Saudi-backed circuit. He opted to skip the Masters tournament in 2022, which was the first time he had missed the major since he recovered from a broken leg in 1994.
«It’s fun to be back. Everyone has been wonderful. «Everyone here has a lot of class. God, it’s fun to be here,» Mickelson said this week of his return.
«It’s my favorite week, so to be here and be a part of it, and to be able to experience this great place and what it means is so much fun because as a kid you grow up dreaming of being a part of it.»
Phil Mickelson of the USA prepares to tee off from the 3rd tee during the first round of the British Open golf championship at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland on Thursday, July 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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there are 18 Golf LIV members competing at Augusta National this year.
Masters president Fred Ridley said in his annual speech this week that tensions between PGA Tour members and LIV appear to have cooled, a possible indication of «change.»
«The tone has been really good here this week. I’ve noticed the players are interacting. Last night at the Champions Dinner, I wouldn’t have known there was anything going on in the world of professional golf that wasn’t the norm. So I think, and I’m hoping this week might get people thinking in a little different direction and things will change.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.