Mickelson (r) said that he was impressed by the Premier Golf League's proposalsgetty images
Phil Mickelson played with some of the key backers of the proposed Premier Golf League during the pro-am for this week's Saudi Int'l on the European Tour, and it was "certainly no coincidence" that he was the "target of a sales pitch," according to Martin Dempster of THE SCOTSMAN. Saudi Golf Federation CEO Majed Al-Sorour was in the group, "indicating that Saudi Arabian money is behind" the billion-dollar startup. The Raine Group's Colin Neville, an SBJ "Forty Under 40" honoree in '16, "also played with Mickelson," along with Barclays Capital Dir Andrew Gardiner. Mickelson admitted afterward that he was "impressed with what they had to say." Mickelson: "It was fascinating to talk with them and ask some questions and see what their plans are. ... I do think it was an informative day for me to have the chance to spend time with them" (THE SCOTSMAN, 1/30). Mickelson said that he "needed more time to weigh the proposal, saying he wants to know how it will affect fans and the game, but came away impressed by the group's proposal" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 1/29).
