What does the future hold for one of the world’s best known golfers?

Phil Mickelson has been caught up in the hugely controversial Saudi Arabian-backed golf series and he is perhaps the most unpopular golfer right now.

For the first time in 28 years the three-time Master’s champion is going to miss the event as he takes a break from the wave of criticism against his recent comments.

In November last year Mickelson said the Saudi regime was “scary” but that the potential new golf project was was a “once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates”.

Those comments went down like a lead balloon given the questionable human rights record inside the Middle East country.

Mickelson claimed his remarks were taken out of context, but later admitted his words were “reckless” and that he was “deeply sorry” for what he said