Greg Norman says he hasn't spoken to Phil since February statement
LIV Golf Investments CEO Greg Norman said he hasn't spoken to Phil Mickelson since the six-time major winner released a statement about taking time away, he told GOLF.com's Subpar podcast.
Mickelson's announcement came after the Fire Pit Collective's Alan Shipnuck published an interview in which the 51-year-old reportedly claimed he was involved with creating Norman's Saudi-backed golf league - now known as the LIV Golf Invitational - and was planning to use the league as leverage over the PGA TOUR.
"He did make a mistake. There's no question about it. And I will give Phil the time. I have not spoken to him since. I'm respecting his wishes about stepping away and having the opportunity to regroup himself," Norman said on the podcast, which the site posted on Wednesday.
In the Feb. 22 statement, Mickelson claimed the comments in Shipnuck's story were made off-the-record before saying that he would be taking some time away to work on himself.
A Statement from Phil Mickelson pic.twitter.com/2saaXIxhpu
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) February 22, 2022
Norman's admittance of not speaking to Mickelson since February echoed what PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said while speaking to the media ahead of The Players Championship early last week.
"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," Monahan said.
The commissioner added that when Mickelson is ready to return to the TOUR, they can have that conversation.
Norman also commented on whether Mickelson would want to return to professional golf.
"He's always going to have an open door to the game of golf as far as I'm concerned," Norman said on the podcast.
Mickelson, who is typically one of the more active TOUR players on social media, has not posted on Twitter since his statement. He also has not played professional golf since the Saudi International in early February.
On Wednesday, Norman released an eight-tournament schedule for his new league, featuring a total purse of $250 million. He said the league sent 250 players invitation letters, according to Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig.