“Listen, he’s a player that’s won 45 times on the PGA Tour. He’s had a Hall of Fame career. He’s won here at The Players Championship. He’s inspired a lot of people and helped grow this Tour, his Tour.
“So as difficult as it is to read some of the things that were said, ultimately a conversation will be had when he’s ready to have it, and I will be ready to have it, as well.”
He said: “[Mickelson] has said that he’s stepping away and he wants time for reflection – that’s something that I and we are going to respect and honour.
“When he’s ready to come back to the PGA Tour, we’re going to have that conversation. That’s a conversation I look forward to.
I have not talked to Phil since he made his comments and since he said that he was stepping away.
That month, excerpts from an unauthorised biography released claimed that the golfer called the Saudis ‘scary’ but was willing to overlook their human rights record to gain leverage with the PGA Tour.
Saudi Arabia’s government has denied accusations of human rights abuses.metasports
Mickelson apologised for the comments, stating they were off the record, and said he planned to take time away from golf – he has since lost a number of sponsors.