Phil Mickelson has not played competitive golf since February after comments about the PGA Tour and the rival Saudi circuit - now called the LIV Golf Invitational Series; Gary Player offers support to six-time major champion and backs Tiger Woods for more success
Thursday 7 April 2022 16:47, UK
Gary Player believes Phil Mickelson is being unfairly treated for his controversial comments around the PGA Tour and the rival Saudi-backed golf tour.
Mickelson is missing The Masters for the first time since 1994 as part of his extended break from the sport, six weeks on from apologising for what he described as "reckless" views about the PGA Tour.
The six-time major champion accused the PGA Tour of "obnoxious greed" and acting like a "dictatorship", while Mickelson called the Saudis "scary motherf****** to be involved with."
Mickelson has been widely criticised by the golfing world for his support towards a possible breakaway circuit, which he claimed he was doing to help "reshape" how the PGA Tour operates, with Player defending the 51-year-old for his "mistakes".
"I think we live in a time now when we are such a judgmental society, a litigious society, a critical society, where people get crucified," Player said in his press conference at Augusta National on Thursday.
"The greatest PR man on the golf Tour in the last five or x amount of years has been Phil Mickelson. He has been the ideal man for a sponsor, for professional golf, for the public, the way he's handled the public, with dignity and with love.
"And he makes a mistake, which every one of you in this room have made a damn mistake. We all have. And he said he's sorry. But even the Lord God will forgive you of your inequities if you ask for forgiveness.
"I phoned him. I said, 'Hold your head up high'. You've made a mistake. Everybody makes a mistake. And he should go on with his life.
"It's amazing. From the epitome of perfection, he's down there being crucified. It's not right. That's my opinion. He said terrible things, but we all make mistakes."
The Masters narrative has been dominated by Tiger Woods, who ended weeks of speculation by confirming his return from injury to make his first start in an official event since November 2020.
Woods told reporters he believes he can add to his major tally this week, less than 14 months after a career-threatening car crash, with his return dominating the narrative in the build-up.
"There's no reason why Tiger shouldn't come back and win majors, as long as he does something which is absolutely imperative, and that's to believe that he can do it," Player explained.
"Have you seen physically how he is? He's a workaholic with his body, and he could come back. Wouldn't surprise me if Tiger came back and won a major."
Rory McIlroy arrived at the opening men's major of the year with an eighth opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam, with the Northern Irishman without a major success since his PGA Championship in 2014.
No player has completed the Grand Slam since Woods, with Player hoping to see McIlroy win The Masters and become just the sixth player in the modern era to have won all four majors in their career.
"I'd like to see Rory McIlroy win because I think he is basically the most talented player I've seen in ages," Player added.
"To have another Grand Slam winner I think would be just a big shot in the arm for golf around the world. It would encourage more people to play golf. They'd read about this profusely."
Watch The Masters this week exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf, with additional feeds and bonus action during all four rounds available via the red button.
