Phil Mickelson won't play in the Masters, according to statements about Saudi Arabia's golf league

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Phil Mickelson will not compete in the Augusta Masters

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David J. Phillip / AP

US golf star Phil Mickelson will not play the Masters in Augusta for the first time in decades after the fuss surrounding his statements about Saudi Arabia and the PGA.

An entry list update added the six-time Major winner to the list of past tournament winners who will be absent from the Georgia tournament (April 7-10).

Since 1995, Mickelson had always been there.

Speaking to Alan Shipnuck for a book due out in May, Mickelson discussed, among other things, the Saudi-sponsored new tournament series in the Gulf, which he wanted to attend despite concerns about human rights abuses, to put pressure on the PGA Tour.

Mickelson criticized the US golf organization, among other things, as a “dictatorship”.

Nevertheless, Mickelson described the Saudi sponsors of the new tournament series as “scary motherfuckers”.

The statements caused an outcry in golf, with Mickelson becoming the first star player to announce his willingness to play for the league.

The 51-year-old later apologized, said the quotes had been published without his consent and announced a longer break.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series golf league, which is supported by Saudi Arabia, is intended to compete with the PGA Tour and attract players with horrendous entry fees.

The tournament series will be offering 255 million dollars in prize money from June, previously there was talk of the "Super Golf League".

In addition to tournaments in Great Britain, the USA and Thailand, an event will also take place in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah.

Riot in the Gulf

Organizer Greg Norman said that everything had been tried with the schedule so that players could continue playing elsewhere.

However, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has threatened golfers who participate in the new series of tournaments with a lifetime ban from the tour.

A number of the best players have announced they want to remain on the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy called the new league "dead."

Since his statements about the new golf league, Mickelson has not played a tournament.

Monahan would not say if Mickelson was suspended, but said he needed to have a talk with Mickelson before he could return to the tour.

However, the PGA only controls its own tour and has no influence on the independent majors.

In 2004, 2006 and 2010 Mickelson won at Augusta.

hba/sid/Reuters