The PGA Tour commissioner has told Phil Mickelson that the ‘ball is in his court’ after the American took an indefinite break from golf.
Mickleson, 51, was forced to apologise last month after scathingly criticising Tour chiefs over the opposition to the proposed Super League in Saudi Arabia.
The new initiative is being led by Australian golf legend Greg Norman, with the mega-money funding of Saudi-backed company LIV Golf Investments looking to lure the world's best players with huge financial offers.
However, they were warned by the PGA that doing so would see them barred from competing the four prestigious major tournaments, and would also compromise their Ryder Cup participation.
As a result, the likes of World No 1 Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Rory Mcllroy, and Brooks Koepka have been among those to publicly reject the notion of joining up, although Mickelson initially refused to rule himself out.
“I don't know where things are headed, but I know I will be criticised,” the six-time major winner told Golf Digest.
“The media rights are but a small fraction of everything else. And it is the Tour's obnoxious greed that has really opened the door for opportunities elsewhere.”
Mickelson then appeared to tie himself him knots by branding the state of Saudi Arabia "scary motherf*****s," before apologising and announcing he was taking a break from the sport.
But ahead of the The Players Championship this week at Sawgrass, Jay Monahan appeared to offer an olive branch to the famous left-hander.
"He [Mickelson] 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 honour," Monahan said.
"When he's ready to come back to the PGA Tour, we're going to have that conversation. That's a conversation I look forward to.
"I have not talked to Phil since he made his comments and since he said that he was stepping away. Like I said, I think the ball is in his court. I would welcome a phone call from him. But it's hard for me to talk about the different scenarios that could play out."
Noticeably though, Monahan refused to clarify if Mickelson was actually serving a suspension.
"He [Mickelson] stepped away on his own accord, and he's asked for time." he continued.
"We don't comment on disciplinary matters, potential matters or actual matters. But every player is accountable for their actions out here."
