Phil Mickelson officially requests PGA Tour release to play controversial Saudi-backed event

Phil Mickelson has courted further controversy by requesting a release from the PGA Tour to allow him to play the first LIV Golf Invitational event this summer.

Mickelson has withdrawn from the golf of late following comments he made about the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed breakaway.

The six-time major winner says he has grown disillusioned with what he perceives as "obnoxious greed" within the PGA Tour.

He further explained that he planned on using the Saudi-backed LIV series as a catalyst for change, despite admitting he was well aware of the country's horrendous record of human rights violations.

The fallout from those comments saw him decide to miss The Masters for the first time in nearly 30 years.

He maintains that he still has no "concrete plans" about his future, but he has made an official request to be released from the PGA Tour "to keep his options open."

"Our client Phil Mickelson is officially registered to play in the PGA Championship as well as the US Open," a statement from his agent read.

"We have also filed a request on his behalf for a release to play in the first LIV Golf Invitational in London, June 9-11.

"This request complies with the deadline of April 25 set forth by the PGA Tour to compete in a conflicting tour event.

"Phil currently has no concrete plans on when and where he will play. Any actions taken are in no way a reflection of a final decision made, but rather to keep all options open."