KPMG drops Phil Mickelson after controversial remarks

KPMG’s U.S. firm has severed its longtime relationship with champion golfer Phil Mickelson after he was quoted making comments about the PGA Tour, a rival golf league sponsored by Saudi Arabia, and slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Mickelson was quoted by biographer Adam Shipnuck in a story last week on the site Fire Pit Collective about his involvement with a Super Golf League that the Saudi government is backing through its sovereign wealth fund. “They’re scary motherf—s to get involved with,” he reportedly said. “We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates. They’ve been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no recourse. As nice a guy as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won’t do what’s right. And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage. 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.”

Mickelson apologized Tuesday for his comments and claimed the remarks were made in what he thought was an off-the record interview and said he would be taking time off from the game. “Although it doesn't look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans,” he said in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday. “I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions. It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I’m beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.”

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KPMG has sponsored Mickelson since 2006, and he has worn the Big Four firm’s logo prominently displayed on his baseball cap while playing in matches and during interviews, but the firm announced Tuesday it is ending the sponsorship.

“KPMG U.S. and Phil Mickelson have mutually agreed to end our sponsorship effective immediately,” the firm said in a statement. “We wish him the best. KPMG continues to sponsor brand ambassadors on the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour and is the title sponsor of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a major on the LPGA Tour. We are also proud to continue providing advanced analytics to the LPGA Tour through KPMG Performance Insights, and host the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit and KPMG Future Leaders Program in conjunction with our sponsorship of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.”