The week of reckoning for Phil Mickelson, who has stepped down as host of The American Express, has continued, according to the Desert Sun.
Mickelson has been the host of the PGA Tour tournament since 2020, but he appeared disengaged at this year’s event, missing the cut without holding a news conference.
The Tour confirmed to the Sun that Mickelson and his foundation, which was established in 2019 to serve as the tournament’s humanitarian arm, would not be connected with the event. The tournament’s contract with the foundation was set to expire in 2024.
More of Mickelson’s sponsors have distanced themselves from the 51-year-old in the last day. Callaway Golf declared late Friday that it will “halt” its partnership with Mickelson, while Workday said it would not renew its contract with the six-time major winner, which expires in March.
Last week, Mickelson’s corporate relationships began to crumble when he was mentioned in a story on Firepitcollective.com slamming both the Tour and the Saudi-backed super league, which he was supposed to be interested in.
Mickelson issued a lengthy apology to the Super League and LIV Golf, the investment fund behind the rival circuit, on Tuesday, but he made no mention of the PGA Tour.
Mickelson stated that he will take “some time apart to focus the ones I love most and work on becoming the man I want to be.” The Tour had also been rumored to have suspended him, though the circuit does not comment on suspensions or disciplinary actions.
Mickelson hasn’t competed on the PGA Tour since the Farmers Insurance Open in late January, and he won’t be in the lineup for the Arnold Palmer Invitational next week.
