Phil Mickelson 'deeply sorry' for 'reckless' words about Saudi league, claims comments were off the record

It seems like Lefty is stepping away from the game for a while

Following a week in which he was under a firestorm of criticism from the biggest names and voices in the world of golf, Phil Mickelson broke his silence Tuesday by releasing a lengthy statement acknowledging recent comments he made about the Saudi Arabian-owned Super Golf League. Mickelson was apologetic about answers he gave to Alan Shipnuck that seemed to rip a hole in the hull of the SGL, sinking the league before it even left port. Although it doesn't look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans. There is the problem of off record comments being shared out of context and without my consent, but the bigger issue is that I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions. It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I'm beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.     ... I have often failed myself and others too.  The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level.  I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.

"I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions," Mickelson said as part of a larger statement. "It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words."

The SGL is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (essentially the government's financial arm). It ostensibly planned to play in some form under the banner of the Asian Tour with a goal of taking top names in the PGA Tour by luring them with riches and a lighter schedule.