“Mystery solved.”
Journalist Alan Shipnuck was “removed by force” from Phil Mickelson’s post-round press conference at the LIV Tour on Thursday. The Sports Illustrated reporter initially asked Greg Norman, the head of the new golf league, in a text about whether he was aware of the incident.
“I didn’t hear it. Thanks for letting me know,” Norman replied.
However, Shipnuck found images on CNN that not only showed that Norman was aware, but he saw how the whole situation unfolded.
“Oh, mystery solved,” Shipnuck tweeted with the screenshot after wondering who was responsible for his treatment.
He then texted Norman, “It’s funny why,” before sending the photo to the two-time senior champion.
You can’t invent this shit! I texted Greg Norman before someone sent me this video – I had no idea he was hiding behind me. pic.twitter.com/thgdMlfTAR
– Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) June 9, 2022
Shipnuck published quotes from his unauthorized biography of Mickelson in February in which Mickelson exposed the atrocities of the Saudi regime, which is funding the LIV Tour, but streamlined using them as leverage to negotiate with the PGA Tour.
The reversal of these comments forced Mickelson, 51, into exile. He did not reappear in public until this week when he signed with the LIV Tour for about $ 200 million.
Greg Norman watches as Alan Shipnuck is removed from Phil Mickelson’s press conference. CNN screenshot Phil Mickelson at his post-LIV tour press conference on June 9, 2022. Reuters action footage
Mickelson shot a 1 under 69 in the first round at the Centurion Club, but it was Shipnuck’s treatment that stole the headlines at the LIV Tour’s opening event.