Phil Mickelson Splits With Long-Time Sponsor KPMG
Mickelson and KPMG have "mutually" parted ways amid controversy around the six-time Major winner's recent comments
Phil Mickelson has split with his long-time sponsor KPMG following the uproar from his controversial comments on both the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia.
The six-time Major winner issued a statement where he said he was "deeply sorry" and "sincerely" regrets the comments made to US journalist Alan Shipnuck.
“They’re scary motherf*****s to get involved with,” Mickelson said on the rumoured Saudi-backed super league in a piece with Shipnuck, who has authored an upcoming biography on the golfing great. “We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it?"
Mickelson has been sponsored by KPMG since 2008 and has worn the company's logo on his cap and visor all the way up until early 2022.
“KPMG U.S. and Phil Mickelson have mutually agreed to end our sponsorship effective immediately. We wish him the best," a statement read.
In his statement, Mickelson said he had given all of his sponsors "the option to pause or end the relationship" as he understands "it might be necessary given the current circumstances."
"The last thing I would ever want to do is compromise them or their business in any way," he said of his sponsors. Continuing, Lefty said: "I believe in these people and companies and will always be here for them with or without a contract."
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Mickelson has sponsorships with Workday, Callaway Golf, Rolex, Mizzen+Main, Amstel Light, Intrepid, Vistajet, Grayhawk Golf Club and Melin. The American's endorsements were said to be worth $40m between 2019-2020 according to Forbes.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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