Phil Mickelson Will Not Return to Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2022
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Phil Mickelson is quite unhappy with a particular Detroit newspaper.
Prior to his first ever appearance at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, The Detroit News chose to run a story that many have felt was poorly timed.
The federal court transcripts referenced in The News story were released back in 2018, while the unpaid gambling debt owed to Mickelson reportedly occurred over 20 years ago.
Mickelson, who is playing in Michigan for the first time since the 2008 PGA Championship, let it be known on social media during a rain delay that he's not likely to play in Detroit next year.
The reigning PGA Championship winner took to Twitter to reply to a tweet from a Crain's Detroit Business editor. He expressed, “You and Rob (Snell) do what you need to do (report something from over 20 years ago) and I’ll do what I need to (let everyone know why I won’t be back).”
After shooting a 69 in his opening round on Thursday, Mickelson was asked if he was indeed no longer planning on playing the event next year.
Unfortunately for fans and ultimately the surrounding community, which likely would have benefited from his presence at the tournament, Mickelson expressed he will not return in 2022.
“It was so much effort for me to be here and to have that type of unnecessary attack. Not like I care. It happened liked 20-something years ago," he said. "But, it’s just the lack of appreciation. Yeah, I don’t see that happening. I don’t see me coming back. Not that I don’t love the people here. They have been great. But, not with that type of thing happening.”
If you are planning to witness one of the greats of the game of golf play, you may want to catch him on Friday or this weekend -- if he makes the cut -- since he may not ever want to return to play.
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