PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan to Phil Mickelson: ‘The ball is in his court’

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA Tour Commissioner looks forward to having a conversation with Phil Mickelson when’s he ready.

As far as if Mickelson has been disciplined for his involvement in the potential breakaway Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League or other inflammatory comments, Monahan stuck to a familiar response.

“We don’t comment on disciplinary matters, potential matters or actual matters,” Monahan said.

That wasn’t long after responding to a question about the Tour’s transparency by saying, “we have nothing to hide, and we’re proud of what this organization represents, the values it conveys, the way that we run our business. We’re happy to share and answer any question any player has, and for that matter any question that you all have today.”

Monahan confirmed that he has not spoken to Mickelson since excerpts of an upcoming book by Alan Shipnuck were published on The Fire Pit Collective and made clear that Mickelson was in cahoots with the renegade lead, admitting that he had help draft the SGL’s operating agreement.

Shortly thereafter, Mickelson posted an apology of sorts that never mentioned Monahan or the PGA Tour. It ended by saying he would be taking time away from the game to “work on being the man I want to be.” Mickelson isn’t in the field this week at the Players Championship, a tournament he won in 2007.

“The ball is in his court,” Monahan said. “He 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 honor. 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.”

During an earlier press conference, Rory McIlroy noted that if there’s any area where Monahan has room for improvement, it would be greater transparency.

“I’ve always felt that a few of the bans or suspensions, I think that should all be announced,” he said. “I think that should be more transparent. I’ve always said that.”

It didn’t happen during his annual State of the Tour press conference – in one of the few light-hearted moments of the press conference, Monahan joked that “effective immediately, Rory McIlroy is suspended.”

Monahan was peppered with a series of questions in hopes of learning whether Mickelson is currently suspended or not or will face disciplinary action in the future. The most telling response may have been the following:

“Every player is accountable for their actions out here,” Monahan said.

Monahan said he hasn’t attempted to call Mickelson, and repeated that the ball would be in Mickelson’s court.

“I would welcome a phone call from him,” Monahan said. “But it’s hard for me to talk about the different scenarios that could play out. 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.”