19th Hole

Phil Mickelson bizarrely claims that he never did infamous interview with Alan Shipnuck

Published

4 years ago

Oct 14, 2022

In February 2022, the idea of LIV Golf was taking hold and causing many waves throughout the golf status quo. And then came Phil.

Just before the publishing day of journalist Alan Shipnuck’s unauthorized biography of the six-time major winner, the Fire Pit Collective contributor released a column entitled, “The Truth About Phil Mickelson and Saudi Arabia,” in which the author revealed details of a telephone conversation between the two a few months previously.

In it, Shipnuck reveals a few of the issues that were spoken about – the “opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates,” and the control that the tour had on media rights. “We played those shots, we created those moments, we should be the ones to profit. The Tour doesn’t need that money,” Shipnuck reports Mickelson to have said, “They are already sitting on an $800 million cash stockpile.”

During that infamous conversation, it is said that Phil called Saudi Arabia, “scary motherf*ckers to deal with,” and that, ” I’m not sure I even want [the SGL] to succeed, but just the idea of it is allowing us to get things done with the [PGA] Tour.”

Just a few days later, Mickelson took to social media to apologize for his comments, eventually takinng a self-imposed sabbatical from the game, withdrawing from both The Masters and the PGA Championship, an event he would have defended as the oldest major champion on record.

A Statement from Phil Mickelson pic.twitter.com/2saaXIxhpu

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 22, 2022

Golf has come a long way since.

In August, the PGA Tour announced several enhancements to the 2023 calendar, with increased prize-money and guaranteed league-based payments, almost certainly prompted by the momentum that LIV was building, and the calibre of player they were attracting. Was this because of the ‘leverage’ that Lefty had spoken about?

Either way, the tension between the PGA Tour (and DP World Tour) and the LIV organization has rarely been higher.

11 players sought an injunction against the PGA Tour though that has now reduced to a piffling number after several plaintiffs, including Mickelson, pulled out. Lately, LIV players continue to live (sorry) it up without particularly worrying about their former alliance – Dustin Johnson, for example, showing absolutely no remorse for his decision to go over to the so-called rebel tour, and Harold Varner has repeatedly said his decision was based on what was good for him and his family, and nobody else.

Whatever the outcome of all of this, we can trace much of the kerfuffle back to that fateful article of 17th February, so imagine the reaction when Mickelson came out with a denial of the entire interview, saying he “never did an interview with Alan Shipnuck.”

Golf writer Dylan Dethier posted a 26-second clip that may well influence the upcoming court case, as well as fan and Tour reaction, of Mickelson denying that any of his conversation was on the record:

Interesting moment from Phil's LIV presser in Saudi Arabia. Asked about his previous comments about Saudi, he answers:

"So I will reiterate, I never did an interview with Alan Shipnuck." pic.twitter.com/fLIrlkyJe5

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) October 13, 2022

Dethier follows up the tweet with a quote received from the now infamous author:.

“Shipnuck has said he’ll, “go to his grave” knowing it was fair game,” although Lefty is clearly hinting about a ‘private’ conversation going public.

This one will run and run….

19th Hole

How much each player won at the 2026 Masters

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.

With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.

For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.

1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
T9: Max Homa, $630,00
11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
T12: Jason Day, $427,500
T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
T30: Harris English, $146,250
T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300

19th Hole

CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.

There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.

Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:

This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V

— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026

It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.

19th Hole

The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances

Published

1 month ago

Apr 7, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.

Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.

Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:

“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”

The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:

“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”

That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”