Before the PGA Championship teed off, the annual Champions Dinner was held but there was one notable omission.
Controversial figure Phil Mickelson was not part of the group of former champions that attended the dinner in the main clubhouse of Southern Hills Country Club, home this week to the 104th version of the tournament.
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Mickelson would have hosted the dinner after becoming the oldest major champion last year when he won the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island two months short of his 51st birthday.
Mickelson has been in self imposed exile since making remarks about the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian regime, which is behind Greg Norman’s rival LIV Golf Investments.
Yet Mickelson’s absence didn’t garner a mention, according to former champion Dave Stockton.
“Phil was not missed,” said Stockton, who won the PGA Championship in 1970 and 1976. “I think Phil would have been a big distraction. The story here this week is the PGA.”
Stockton joined past champions Collin Morikawa, Jeff Sluman, Rory McIlroy, Mark Brooks, Jason Dufner, Rich Beem, Martin Kaymer, Jason Dufner, Padraig Harrington and Keegan Bradley at the dinner.
“So last night I spoke,” Stockton said. “It was surreal for me. I’m used to being the youngest and now I was clearly the oldest, which at 80 years of age that kind of shakes you up a bit.
“And then at the end, Mark Brooks got up, they got him up, and he immediately had everybody comment what’s their worst shot and best shot.”
“Everybody had a similar story and everything,” Stockton added. “It was fun.”
Stockton said he’ll barracking for the Norther Irishman this weekend.
“I’d like to see McIlroy win his third PGA,” said Stockton. “He’s had pretty good luck – when we worked together he won Congressional and the Open, where I won the second PGA. Then he wins it where I had the Ryder Cup there at Kiawah, and then he comes to Valhalla and wins where I was an assistant with Azinger, and now he comes here where I won my first. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulls some magic out of a hat.
“The other one I would be rooting for would be Jordan Spieth. I’d love to see him get the Grand Slam. There wouldn’t be two more people that would be more fitting to get it than for McIlroy to knock off his Masters bugaboo and Jordan to get the PGA here.
“But who am I ignoring? I’m ignoring Collin. I’m ignoring Rahm. All these guys. I think it’s going to be a heck of a race to the end here. You’re going to have to get lucky to win. You’re going to have to play really, really good golf this week.”
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