Golf’s greatest controversial story over the previous two years was not mentioned on the Grasp’s Champions Dinner on Tuesday evening at Augusta Nationwide. And one celebrity didn’t do a lot speaking in any respect.
The NY Publish reviews Fuzzy Zoeller — the 1979 Masters champion — and Tommy Aaron, the 1973 winner, advised Golfweek Phil Mickelson didn’t have a lot to say.
“We’re simply 33 previous champions in a room, all making an attempt to get alongside,” Zoeller stated.
“No one stated a phrase about it. Phil sat close to the top of the desk and saved to himself. He didn’t communicate in any respect.”
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As for Aaron’s ideas on Mickelson, “I wanted him good luck, however I couldn’t consider how quiet he was. Phil took a really low profile. He didn’t say a phrase.”
The 52-year-old Mickelson has been taking a decrease profile within the lead as much as this 2023 Masters.
He was requested by the Masters committee if he want to conduct a pre-tournament press convention, which has been the norm for him for some twenty years, and he politely declined, sources advised The Publish’s Mark Cannizzaro on Tuesday.
Mickelson did communicate to reporters after his follow spherical, however didn’t convey up the controversial LIV-PGA Tour battle.
“It’s nice to be again,’’ Mickelson advised reporters. “It’s my favorite week, so being right here and being part of it and with the ability to expertise this excellent spot and what it means is so enjoyable as a result of, as a child, you develop up dreaming about being part of this. You dream of profitable it, being in rivalry, after which once you really are a professional and you’re taking part in right here, you’re like, ‘Wow, I wish to be part of this yearly.’
“That’s the good factor about having received right here is that you simply’re part of this occasion and a part of the historical past. It’s actually, actually particular factor.’’
Fred {Couples}, who received the Masters in 1992, has been vocal about his opposition to the LIV gamers breaking away from the PGA Tour, however didn’t convey up the controversial topic throughout the dinner.
{Couples} just lately known as Mickelson “a nutbag” and stated LIV wildly overpaid for him, contemplating the present state of his recreation.
“{Couples} spoke loads however didn’t point out LIV in any respect,” Aaron stated. “I sat subsequent to Freddie, and he and Ray Floyd saved making an attempt to determine what number of champions had come out of the ultimate group.”
Mickelson can also be holding a low profile due to his latest struggles on the course.
The three-time Masters champion, who has plummeted to 425 on the planet golf rankings, has but to submit a end result within the high 25 in a LIV occasion this season.
Based on the report, Ben Crenshaw — a two-time Masters champion (1984, 1995) — emceed the occasion and didn’t convey up the LIV golf controversy. Augusta Nationwide Chairman Fred Ridley, who additionally was invited to the dinner, additionally spoke but additionally didn’t convey up the elephant within the room.
Scottie Scheffler, the defending Masters champion, was the visitor of honour.
Per custom the defending champion picks the menu for the Champions Dinner, and the Texan ordered up a dinner of cheeseburger sliders, firecracker shrimp, tortilla soup, Texas ribeye or blackened redfish and for dessert, a heat chocolate chip skillet cookie with milk and cookies ice cream.
This text initially appeared within the NY Publish and was reproduced with permission.
