Report: Mickelson can't apply for PGA TOUR reinstatement until 2024

It seems that Phil Mickelson's long absence from the PGA TOUR prior to the inaugural LIV tournament may not have been entirely of his own accord.

Mickelson was suspended from the PGA TOUR in March of this year and can't apply for reinstatement until March 2024, The Wall Street Journal's Louise Radnofsky and Andrew Beaton reported Wednesday.

The six-time major winner was reportedly suspended for multiple reasons, including allegedly recruiting players to join Greg Norman's Saudi-backed LIV Golf series. His original appeal to the suspension was denied, according to Radnofsky and Beaton.

Mickelson applied to be reinstated to the TOUR in June but was denied due to playing in the inaugural LIV event that month. He was originally banned from future reinstatement applications until March 2023. After playing in the second LIV Golf event, that was pushed to March 2024, per Radnofsky and Beaton.

Mickelson's suspension was just one part detailed in the report, which says 11 players in the LIV Golf series, including Mickelson, had filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA TOUR.

In June, the PGA announced that any players taking part in LIV Golf events would be suspended from the TOUR.

Mickelson's reported suspension was detailed within the lawsuit, according to Radnofsky and Beaton.

In February, comments reportedly made by Mickelson were published by the Fire Pit Collective's Alan Shipnuck, where he detailed his involvement in Norman's rival league and made comments on Saudi Arabia's human rights record.

Following his controversial comments, Mickelson announced in February that he would be taking time away from golf.

He didn't play in a professional tournament again until the first LIV Golf event, held outside of London in mid-June. Mickelson has since played in both other LIV events over the last two months - the Portland tournament and the Bedminster event. He also played in the U.S. Open in June and the Open Championship in July.