Phil Mickelson's baffling comments on the proposed Saudi-backed golf league were 'naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant,' Rory McIlroy said

• Rory McIlroy has hit out at Phil Mickelson for his comments on the proposed Saudi-backed golf league.
• Mickelson appeared to suggest he could look past Saudi human rights abuses to join the league.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy has hit out at Phil Mickelson for his controversial comments on the proposed Saudi-backed golf league.

Mickelson suggested in an interview last week that he was willing to look past Saudi Arabia's record of human rights abuses to join the Super Golf League (SGL) because it presents a chance to reshape golf.

In early February, the American expressed his frustration at how the PGA Tour handled its finances and rewarded top players.

"They're scary motherfuckers to get involved with," Mickelson said of Saudi Arabia. "We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and US resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights.

"They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.

"They've been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no recourse. As nice a guy as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won't do what's right. And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage."

Speaking after his final round at the Genesis Invitational on Sunday, McIlroy did not hold back in criticizing Mickelson's comments.

"I don't want to kick someone while he's down obviously, but I thought they were naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant," he said.

"It was just very surprising and disappointing, sad. I'm sure he's sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here."

On Sunday, two of the world's top 15 players — Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau — also distanced themselves from the SGL by reaffirming their commitment to the PGA Tour.

The two American major winners had both been previously linked to the proposed breakaway league.

Former world number one Johnson, 37, said in a statement issued through the PGA Tour: "Over the past several months, there has been a great deal of speculation about an alternative tour; much of which seems to have included me and my future in professional golf.

"I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest. I am grateful for the opportunity to play on the best tour in the world and for all it has provided me and my family.

"While there will always be areas where our tour can improve and evolve, I am thankful for our leadership and the many sponsors who make the PGA Tour golf's premier tour."

DeChambeau, 28, said on social media shortly after Johnson's statement was released: "While there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my support for another tour, I want to make it very clear that as long as the best players in the world are playing the PGA Tour, so will I."

With Johnson and DeChambeau now having confirmed their commitment to the PGA Tour, McIlroy believes the proposed SGL is all but over.

"Who's left? Who's left to go? I mean, there's no one. It's dead in the water in my opinion. I just can't see any reason why anyone would go," said the Northern Irishman.

"No one really knew where Bryson stood. I was really glad to see DJ and Bryson put out those statements this week. We all want to play against the best players in the world and they're certainly two of the best players in the world."