Brooks Koepka calls out Phil Mickelson after his complaint about the PGA Tour’s ‘obnoxious greed’

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka has called out Phil Mickelson for his comments on the PGA Tour’s ‘obnoxious greed’.

The 51-year-old appeared to hit out at the Tour for shorting players over media rights – despite cashing in just under $100million (£74m) in career earnings, sitting on a pension worth at least $200m (£147m) and raking in an estimated $500m (£368m) in sponsorship deals. 

Mickelson recently ranted about the ‘obnoxious greed’ of the PGA Tour in not allowing him to earn far more, saying it is a key factor as to why he is ‘looking at opportunities elsewhere.’ 

By other opportunities, Mickelson is of course referring to the Saudi-backed Super Golf League (SGL) who are seemingly trying to poach the sport’s elite and have reportedly contacted ‘pretty much every player in the top 100’. 

In a defiant interview with Golf Digest, Mickelson explained his biggest complaint concerned media rights. ‘It’s not public knowledge all that goes on,’ he began. 

‘If the tour wanted to end the Saudi threat or from anywhere else they would just hand the rights back to the players. 

‘But they would rather throw $25m (£18m) here or $40m (£29m) there than give back the roughly $20billion in digital assets they control.’ 

Koepka appeared to take a sly dig at Mickelson’s tirade, particularly the accusation of greed. 

The 31-year-old took to Instagram to call out Mickelson, posting: ‘Don’t know if I’d be using the word greedy if I’m Phil….’

Players assign their media rights to the PGA Tour upon taking membership, which dates back to more than 50 years ago.

As the Tour owns a player’s media rights, it can take a fee whenever those players appear on television outside of a Tour event and requires players to ask for permission to play at competing tournaments.

Mickelson referenced his participation in The Match, claiming that the Tour ‘forced him to pay them $1m each time’ for his own media rights. ‘That type of greed is, to me, beyond obnoxious,’ he added. 

He also explained that his infamous approach shot from the pine on the par-5 13th during his 2010 Masters win would cost someone $30,000 per second to use.

Koepka has also participated in The Match, pulling off a convincing 4&3 victory long-time rival Bryson DeChambeau in the latest edition – which was executive produced by Mickelson – last November. 

But compared to Mickelson’s $9m (£6.6m) winnings from his match against Tiger Woods in 2018, Koepka just played for glory – and most likely bragging rights. 

Mickelson is said to be one of the players the yet-to-be-launched Saudi league is targeting and his comments were impeccably timed as he tees up this week at the Saudi International.

The proposed Super Golf League has sent the golfing community into a frenzy after reports it is targeting the sport’s top players. 

Five future Ryder Cup captains, including Ian Poulter Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell, were reported to be sitting on £20m offers, while Lee Westwood revealed that he has signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prevents him from discussing the issue. 

Former World No 1, Dustin Johnson, has also hinted he has an NDA, while DeChambeau has been offered a staggering £100m to be the face of the Saudi golf revolution.