Sponsors KPMG and Amstel Light end relations with Mickelson, critics pile in on statement

Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee claims four out of the six paragraphs in Mickelson statement were spin and damage control

Phil Mickelson: Taking time out

Accounting giant KPMG and Phil Mickelson have ended their relationship following the golfer’s comments last week regarding Saudi Arabia and a new golf super league. Another Mickelson sponsor, Amstel Light beer, has also terminated its partnership.

Mickelson (51) caused an uproar when golf writer Alan Shipnuck released an excerpt from his upcoming unauthorized biography of the six-time major champion. Mickelson described the Saudis as “scary”, but said he was looking past their controversial history of human rights violations by working with a Saudi-backed tour to gain leverage with the PGA Tour.