LONDON, 22 Mar. (dpa / EP) –
American golfer Phil Mickelson will not be able to compete in the Augusta Masters, the first “big” of the season, for the first time in 28 years after being eliminated from the list of participants for the tournament that begins on April 7.
The three-time champion in Augusta has been listed as a “previous champion not playing” on the tournament website. The 2008 champion, South African Trevor Immelman, is also on the list of golfers who will not participate.
Mickelson is currently taking a break from golf after controversy over his explosive comments about the PGA Tour and the creation of a possible alternative tour backed by Saudi Arabia.
The six-time Grand Slam winner, 51, has not played since the Saudi international tournament in February. Mickelson has participated in Augusta National every year since he last missed it in 1994; he made his debut in 1991 and won the green jacket in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
Mickelson announced that he would be taking a break from golf on February 22, apologizing for his “reckless” comments. The American accused the PGA Tour of acting like a “dictatorship” and admitted that he was using the threat of a breakup to “reshape” the way the Tour operates.
The golf world reacted with criticism and dismay to Mickelson’s comments, with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy calling his opening remarks “selfish and ignorant”.
Mickelson reiterated his belief that golf “desperately needs change” in his apology statement on Twitter. “I used words that I sincerely regret and that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions,” he said.
“It was reckless, I offended people and I deeply regret my choice of words. I am beyond disappointed and will do my best to reflect and learn from this.”