(Video: ESPN)

Phil Mickelson has “stunned” the sports world after showing “sympathy” for murderous Saudis in an apparent attempt to leverage the PGA.

Tony Kornheiser invited fellow ESPN sportswriter Pablo Torre on “Pardon the Interruption,” to discuss comments that have come to light in the new book, “Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar,” by Alan Shipnuck.

“They’re scary motherf-ers to involved with,” Mickelson is quoted as saying during an interview with Shipnuck. “They killed [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 rhetorically asked of leaving the PGA for a Saudi-controlled golf tour, “Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”

“I read these quotes and I was stunned,” Torre told Kornheiser. “I don’t think you can realistically provoke sympathy for a figurative repressive government by partnering with a literal one, Tony,” Torre said of the comparison of the PGA to the Saudi government.

Kornheiser added that Mickelson’s opposition to PGA policies can’t be taken if he isn’t standing on “moral ground.” “If they killed people,” Kornheiser explained of the Saudis and potential offers to woe Mickelson away from the PGA, “that makes it blood money.”

Mickelson’s quote from the book adds further nuance to recent comments from the golfer deemed hypocritical about the “obnoxious greed” of the PGA. Decrying the players’ lack of access to their own media, Mickelson appeared to be alluding to a departure from the PGA because he didn’t have media rights. He went so far as to point out what he would do with his own media, adding, “a camera and microphone on my hat,” so fans could, “see and hear what is going on,” while he plays.

As to why he won’t do that now, Mickelson posited another rhetorical question, “To make more millions for the tour?”

Kornheiser wasn’t the only person to point out Mickelson’s blasé attitude toward the atrocities linked to the Saudis.

https://twitter.com/BenHoffmanNYT/status/1494666762545246208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1494666762545246208%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Ftv%2Fits-blood-money-sports-world-reacts-to-phil-mickelsons-comments-about-working-with-homicidal-saudis%2F

Another suggested these comments were enough to garner a suspension of Mickelson from the league.

The PGA Tour has threatened sanctions against any player that jumps to a rival league. But has Phil Mickelson already done enough to be suspended by the tour? https://t.co/xdC3icUpC2

— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) February 18, 2022

Others wondered if the sponsors would take to heart their continued support of Mickelson if he wouldn’t back down on his alignment with the Saudis.

Amorality plus greed add up to immorality. Hope ⁦@PhilMickelson⁩, a golfer I’ve admired for years, reconsiders his regrettable stance. If not, will be interesting to see if any of his sponsors reconsider their support. https://t.co/GAC4PQ5IQ7

— Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) February 18, 2022

Another pointed out how different Mickelson’s greed appeared to the shrouded greed in the NBA.

https://twitter.com/TLtredleon/status/1494637236616368137

The one thing that is surprisingly consistent on this front is the media’s reaction to anyone showing the slightest hint of alignment with Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Following the release of the intel report that pinned the Crown Prince for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Biden Administration chose to place sanctions on 76 nationals, but not bin Salman.

“When it comes to accountability for the guy that was in charge…” Jake Tapper called out Biden’s select sanctions at the time,”…Mohammed bin Salman is getting away scot-free.”

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Kevin Haggerty

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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