A trio of the world’s top golfers — including Tiger Woods — said Tuesday that they wished Phil Mickelson were at Southern Hills Country Club this week to defend his PGA Championship title.

Mickelson took an unexpected two-stroke victory over South African Louis Oosthuizen at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina in 2021.

“This should be a celebration, right?” said Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, the world’s No. 7 player. “He won a major championship at 50 years old. It was possibly his last big, big moment in the game of golf. I think he should be here this week and celebrating what a monumental achievement he achieved last year.

The tournament begins Thursday at the course in Tulsa, Okla.

“It’s unfortunate,” McIlroy added. “It’s sad. Yeah, I don’t know what else I can say.”

Mickelson, 51, decided not to participate as he continues to cope with the controversial comments he made in February about the PGA Tour and a fledgling rival tour funded in part by Saudi Arabia. He hasn’t played since, even skipping the Masters.

“Phil has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the Tour and committed to the legacy of the Tour have pushed back against, and he’s taken some personal time, and we all understand that,” Tiger Woods said. “But as we all know, as a professional, we miss him being out here. I mean, he’s a big draw for the game of golf. He’s just taking his time, and we all wish him the best when he comes back.”

Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, said Mickelson’s representatives notified him Friday that he wasn’t ready to play.

“Obviously we respect that. We understand it,” Waugh said. “We wish nothing but the best for him and (wife) Amy. He’s going through a lot. I don’t really have a whole lot more to say. We’re disappointed he’s not here, and again, wish him all the best.”

Mickelson last played on the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, where he missed the cut. Mickelson said in a statement in February that he needed time away from golf and has been quiet since.

Jon Rahm, the No. 2 player in the world, said he respects Mickelson’s decision.

“Phil has got to do what Phil has got to do,” Rahm said. “He’s a good friend of mine. I can’t remember the last time a major champion didn’t defend a title.”

He added: “I would have liked to see him defend. I know he’s played good here in the past. But again, he’s got to do what he’s got to do.”

The last player not to defend a major title was McIlroy, who skipped The Open Championship in 2015 because of an ankle injury.

–Field Level Media

Tiger Woods may be the sentimental fan favorite but the 15-major champion pulling off an unlikely victory at the PGA Championship is a potential nightmare scenario for at least one sportsbook.

Woods, 46, is being offered at +6600 by BetMGM to claim his 16th major title on Sunday. He has been backed by 3.8 percent of the winning bets and 6.2 percent of the handle – making him not only the biggest liability this week, but the biggest liability for any event in the history of the sportsbook.

“If Tiger were to win, it would be the biggest losing result in BetMGM history,” VP of Trading Jason Scott said Tuesday.

The sportsbook is offering Woods at -125 to make the cut compared to +100 to miss the weekend. Woods missing the cut has drawn 58 percent of the bets and 97 percent of the handle, impacted by one $13,000 wager at +115.

“Tiger missing the cut would be a good outcome for the sportsbook,” Scott said.

Despite his longshot odds and with last month’s Masters his lone PGA Tour event since a single-car accident in February 2021, Woods has been supported by the second-highest amount of money wagered to win at Southern Hills.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm were the co-favorites at +1200 on Tuesday. Tour rookie Cameron Young, who has three runner-ups this season, is the second-biggest liability at BetMGM with 4.5 percent of the handle backing him at +6600.

Woods will be paired for the first two rounds with world No. 7 Rory McIlroy and No. 8 Jordan Spieth. The group will tee off at 9:11 a.m. ET on Thursday and at 2:36 p.m. Friday.

Woods has four PGA Championships on his resume, including the last time it was played at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla. in 2007. He said he is feeling better as he continues to recover from a serious leg injury sustained in the accident.

“It’s only going to keep getting stronger,” Woods told reporters. “The more I use it, the more strength it gains. Am I ever going to have full mobility? No. Never again. But I’ll be able to get stronger. It’s going to ache, but that’s the way it’s going to be.”

–Field Level Media