At first blush, little would seem to connect Phil Mickelson to Angela Lansbury, who died October 11 at age 96, her reputation intact. Lansbury’s legacy includes an Oscar-nominated debut in “Gaslight,” a 1944 film that originated the term “gaslighting,” decades before the charlatans of our present epoch perfected it. Gaslighting means manipulating a credulous audience to the point where they doubt the evidence before their eyes — essentially what LIV golfers have attempted by peddling a distorted reality this week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Including Mickelson, who might as well be cast in his own show, “Malarkey, He Spoke.”
Reaction to Mickelson’s comments focused on his claim that he never gave an “interview” to Alan Shipnuck, who revealed in February that Mickelson called his Saudi benefactors murderers, human rights abusers and “scary m-f’ers.” While plenty in golf media gnawed on this diversionary bone, it was sideshow spat about nomenclature — whether it was an interview on the record or a conversation off. Mickelson hasn’t denied talking to Shipnuck nor the veracity of the quotes. In fact, he apologized for his words, if only to the Saudis. It all distracted from the even more questionable assertions he offered while standing before the “scary m-f’ers.”
“I firmly believe that I’m on the winning side of how things are going to evolve and shape in the coming years for professional golf,” he said. “I love the way they involve us and listen to us in decisions. I mean it’s so inclusive … LIV Golf is leading. Whether it’s shorts, whether it’s other aspects of professional golf … ”
What remains for mockery when an American expresses gratitude to the Saudi regime for granting him inclusion and the right to bare flesh?
“I see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the PGA Tour trending downwards,” Mickelson continued. “I love the side that I’m on … I love the way they treat us.”
If he has dwelled on how the Saudis treat others, he didn’t voice it.
Fair enough if Mickelson stands by his decision to jump tours. His belief that LIV is trending upward while the PGA Tour sinks might someday be borne out, just as someday Donald Trump might obey a statute. But that day is not at hand. More drunks are ejected on Saturday at the Phoenix Open than attend LIV tournaments, a number not much lower than those viewing on YouTube. The overwhelming majority of the world’s top players have not joined LIV,…
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