Phil Mickelson made the cut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Moments after he solidified his stay for the weekend, he reversed course on his position for any future return to Detroit.
The 2021 PGA Championship winner said he will consider playing here again if fans sign a petition and perform random acts of kindness.
Phil Mickelson had more to say about returning to the @RocketClassic and Detroit. He saw @mikesullivan's petition.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 2, 2021
"If he can get to 50,000 and all of those 50,000 agree to do one random act of kindness for another member of the community, 𝐈'𝐦 𝐢𝐧," @PhilMickelson said. pic.twitter.com/a1C7UFO5ov
"The people here were so nice that I'll make a deal with them. There's a guy, Mike Sullivan, trying to raise 50,000 signatures. If he gets 50,000 and all of those 50,000 agree to do one random act of kindness for another member of the community, I'm in," Mickelson said after finishing his second round.
Mickelson spoke at length on Thursday about a story published this week in the Detroit News that unfolded in 2007. It featured a Grosse Pointe bookie who allegedly cheated Mickelson out of $500,000.
Fans in Detroit chanting “Come back Phil!” at Phil Mickelson@DGCGolfClub @PhilMickelson pic.twitter.com/qWZxjqFi6i
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 2, 2021
He said Thursday he couldn't see himself returning to play in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
"People were awesome and they were so nice. I would say this: 'I don't want it to be divisive,'" he said. "I didn't like the way that felt with the reporter."
Mickelson finished the second round at 3-under for the tournament.
"If the members of the community will come together, I'd love to be back. But what I won't tolerate is that kind of divisive attitude from that particular reporter. It's just not helpful to anybody in any way."
.@PhilMickelson said he won't return for Detroit's Rocket Mortgage Classic. He loves the fans and what Rocket is doing in the city, but...
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 1, 2021
Mickelson said this week's Detroit News article about a 2007 incident with a Grosse Pointe bookie was "very opportunistic and selfish." pic.twitter.com/GcZ5OOONeU