PGA Of America Chief Confirms Mickelson Talks
CEO of the PGA of America, Seth Waugh, stated on the 5 Clubs Conversation podcast that he has had “a number of conversations” with Phil Mickelson


The return of Phil Mickelson is still a lingering story in the golf world, with it still being unclear as to when the six-time Major champion will make a comeback to competitive action.
Now, CEO of the PGA of America, Seth Waugh, has revealed he has had “a number of conversations” with Mickelson, with the American stating on the 5 Clubs Conversation podcast: “I’ve had a number of conversations with him before, you know, call it, last fall and since then and recently.”
Currently, Lefty has entered himself into the PGA Championship, which he is defending, as well as the US Open. Mickelson, though, has also requested a release from the PGA Tour to play in the opening LIV Golf Invitational Series event at the Centurion Club in June, making it unclear as to when he will actually return.
Will Mickelson return at Southern Hills to defend his PGA Championship title?
According to Waugh, he believes that Mickelson is "trying to figure out when the right time for him is," adding "I think the game is trying to figure out the right time for him, too. How long is long enough? And is he ready mentally and physically to do it?”
Although Mickelson has registered for the events, it doesn't necessarily mean he will play in them, with Steve Loy at SPORTFIVE agency stating that he is currently keeping "all options open."
The 51-year-old was recently spotted playing golf though, the first sighting of Mickelson since the 2022 Saudi International back in February and his announced break from the game following his controversial comments made about the PGA Tour and the Saudis.
Mickelson has reportedly signed an agreement to play in all eight Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series events
For CEO, Waugh, he believes that “the whole thing (Mickelson incident) is just sad,” adding “It’s sad for Phil, it’s sad for the game. He’s been great for the game for a really long time and I do believe in redemption and I do believe that he can figure this out."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Along with the comments, Waugh also stated on the podcast that he thought Mickelson would make a “late decision” to play in the PGA Championship, with the American going on to add “I think, you know, we’ll continue to have conversations. I’ve known Phil for 20-something years, and he’s a complicated guy with complicated thoughts and in a complicated situation. We’re all trying to figure out what’s best for him and frankly what’s best for the game and we’re going to keep having those conversations.”
That statement was followed by a question from the podcast's host, Gary Williams, in which he asked whether there would be “procedures in place, let’s say, in the event that he does play, as far as him meeting the media.”
.@Garywilliams1Up & @PGA CEO Seth Waugh discussed a lot of topics this week, including if their defending champ, @PhilMickelson, will be at Southern Hills and how to they hope the focus can be on the golf.Watch Full: https://t.co/nhuMxsyPaMListen: https://t.co/XRs88ZRU6u pic.twitter.com/il53cauW1jMay 4, 2022
The response? Well, it certainly left little to the imagination, with Waugh answering: “Yeah, we’ve talked about it a lot and I hope what we can do is have that before, you know, the flag goes up, right. So, the idea is, if he does play, if he’s able to and allowed to, if he will play, he would certainly have to face the media.
"But I hope it’s Monday or Tuesday, and then once the flag goes up, it’s about the golf, right. And that’s — what we’re trying to do is deliver a Major championship, not a circus, right. So I would hope that he can avoid that and everybody can avoid that. And we’re talking about golf shots instead of, you know, verbal gaffes, right, once we get going.
“But there’s certainly, I think, part of his thinking is, am I ready to face that glare and have that conversation and have all the answers that everybody is going to be looking for. And if I do it that week, am I then able to compete at a Major championship venue under that kind of pressure, right, with everything going on. But we would do everything we could to make it happen either before our week or very early in the week.”
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Creator Classic Scores: Golf Influencers Take On TPC Sawgrass Ahead Of The Players
Ten big-name golf creators are on course at TPC Sawgrass ahead of The Players Championship
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
Charley Hull And Georgia Hall March Into Sunningdale Foursomes Last 16
The LPGA Tour pair comfortably won both of their matches on day two of the prestigious event and look like the team to beat heading into the last 16
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Sergio Garcia Secures Double Victory At LIV Golf Hong Kong As Phil Mickelson Outlines Major Aspirations Following Best LIV Finish
Sergio Garcia triumphed by one stroke at Hong Kong Golf Club while helping his Fireballs GC to a narrow win in the team competition
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Two 5-Irons, Two Drivers And His 2013 Open-Winning Hybrid - 6 Fascinating Things From Phil Mickelson’s Equipment Setup
Phil Mickelson had some eye-catching club selections as he displayed what will be in his bag for the 2025 season
By Paul Higham Published
-
Phil Mickelson Gives His Verdict On LIV Golf's TV Deal
Phil Mickelson says LIV Golf is the only global golf brand as he celebrated the big TV deal with FOX Sports he hopes will help the team golf tour really kick on
By Paul Higham Published
-
Phil Mickelson’s LIV Golf Team Signs With Grant Horvat’s Apparel Company
Primo - partially owned by influencer, Grant Horvat - has been designated as the “official golf apparel sponsor” of Phil Mickelson's HyFlyers GC
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Phil Mickelson Backing 'Incredible' Ryder Cup Partner Keegan Bradley To 'Lead With Passion' As US Team Captain
The 12-time Ryder Cupper said Bradley's love for the biennial team competition is "more than anybody I know" and is backing him to thrive as US team captain
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Phil Mickelson Helped Brendan Steele Claim His First Win In Six Years At LIV Golf Adelaide
The 41-year-old American says he continues to improve even at his age thanks to his HyFlyers captain, Phil Mickelson
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Phil Mickelson's New Caddie Sent Off With Heartfelt 'Thank You' By 10-Year Former Employer
Jon Yarbrough will replace Tim Mickelson as Lefty's looper ahead of the 2024 Masters and LIV Golf Miami
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
A Hole In The Life Of A Very Different Phil Mickelson – Inside The Ropes With Lefty
We follow a very different Phil Mickelson to the one who won The Open 10 years ago today
By Mark Townsend Published