Callaway decide to "PAUSE" relationship with Phil Mickelson
Callaway: "We do not condone Phil Mickelson’s comments and we were very disappointed in his choice of words."
Callaway has decided to "pause" its relationship with Phil Mickelson following his controversial remarks about the PGA Tour and a new Saudi Golf League.
Mickelson has been sponsored by Callaway ever since 2004 and has helped take the brand forwards by working with the company on numerous golf club and golf ball designs while on the PGA Tour.
Golf's oldest major champion came under fire this week after an excerpt of his conversation with biographer Alan Shipnuck emerged justifying his relationship with the Saudi government and revealing how he was using Saudi money to back a new super golf league as a means of leverage against the PGA Tour.
Here's what Mickelson told Shipnuck back in November, with the words being made public this month:
"They're scary motherf***ers to get involved with," Mickelson allegedly said.
"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? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.
"They've been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no recourse.
"As nice a guy as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won't do what's right.
"And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage. I'm not sure I even want [the SGL] to succeed, but just the idea of it is allowing us to get things done with the [PGA] Tour."
Mickelson has since apologised for his words to those at the Saudi Golf League and also to his fans, but interestingly there was little to no apology for the PGA Tour.
According to Golf Channel correspondent Rex Hoggard, golf equipment powerhouse Callaway has decided to now pause its relationship with Mickelson while the six-time major champion takes some time out of the game to work on himself.
Callaway will then look to review their relationship with him at a later date.
RELATED: PHIL MICKELSON LOSES YET MORE SPONSORS AFTER CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS TO ALAN SHIPNUCK
Callaway Golf to “pause” relationship with Phil Mickelson (1 of 2):
Callaway does not condone Phil Mickelson’s comments and we were very disappointed in his choice of words – they in no way reflect our values or what we stand for as a company.— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) February 26, 2022
Mickelson (2/2):
Phil has apologized & we know he regrets how he handled recent events. We recognize his desire to take time away from the game & respect that decision. @ this time we have agreed to pause our partnership & will re-evaluate our ongoing relationship @ a later date.— Rex Hoggard (@RexHoggardGC) February 26, 2022
"Callaway Golf to 'pause' relationship with Phil Mickelson," reads Hoggard's tweet.
"Callaway does not condone Phil Mickelson’s comments and we were very disappointed in his choice of words – they in no way reflect our values or what we stand for as a company.
"Phil has apologized & we know he regrets how he handled recent events. We recognize his desire to take time away from the game & respect that decision. @ this time we have agreed to pause our partnership & will re-evaluate our ongoing relationship @ a later date."
With his long-term partnership with Callaway now halted, Mickelson has lost furher sponsorship deals with KPMG, Workday and also Heineken / Amstel.
Rolex, another of Mickelson's sponsors, have yet to comment further on the matter.
It is understood that Mickelson will not tee up at Bay Hill next week on the PGA Tour, and he will likely take a number of weeks out of the sport to focus on himself and his family.
