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I'll preface this by saying that I've disliked Mickelson since long before it was fashionable. His 2004 Masters win was a nice story but his 'aw shucks public image started to grate on me after that. I remember once in an interview some golfer was asked if everyone on the tour hated Tiger for winning so much and he said that Tiger was actually one of the most respected golfers on the tour and the superstar everyone hated was Mickelson. I also thought it was classless when he injured himself practicing for the 2007 US Open at Oakmont and bitched at the grounds crew for making the rough too thick. I mean, it's a tournament that's known for being exceptionally difficult, hosted by one of golf's most intimidating venues, and he thinks they should have eased up? What was he expecting? Anyway, after jumping to LIV his biographer asked him how he could take Saudi money despite their horrible record on human rights and he responded:
In other words, I know they're bad, but they wrote me a big enough check that I'm willing to look past it. After the quote was made public he publicly apologized... to LIV golf management out of concern over the perception that his comments about the Saudis were directed at them personally. He then doubled down on the "golf needs change" rhetoric, which comes off as a bit rich from a guy who's gambled away more than most of his fans will ever earn in their lifetimes.
TIL I like Phil Mickelson. That's how I've always fantasized I'd answer a question like that.
"How do you feel about accepting money for $PROJECT from known ism-ist-ophobes? Will you disavow??"
"Well at the time I felt good about it, but now that you're asking, I suppose I'd have to admit that I feel absolutely great about it. Simply thrilled, really. In fact, I think I'll fly back next Friday to have dinner with them and take some photos together for my professional homepage. I'll buy you a plane ticket so you can join me, they love journalists."
I'd have to work on something spicier but you get the gist.
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