Phil Mickelson 'gutted' by the Charlie Kirk assassination, dubs violence against freedom of speech 'sick'

Phil Mickelson has shared his thoughts on violence against freedom of speech, condemning the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. A ghastly incident took place in the state of Utah on Wednesday as Kirk, Founder of Turning Point USA, was shot.

Kirk was attending an event at Utah Valley University, where the conservative activist was addressing the crowd. Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot echoed, and Kirk fell off his seat. After that, a manhunt was going on to find the culprit. Talking about the incident, Mickelson wrote on X:

“I never met Charlie Kirk but I am gutted by this atrocity. Open debate is healthy and essential. Free speech is a constitutional right. Violence for disagreeing with someone is sick, deranged, and creates a greater division that becomes harder to overcome.”

Phil Mickelson

@PhilMickelson

I never met Charlie Kirk but I am gutted by this atrocity. Open debate is healthy and essential. Free speech is a constitutional right. Violence for disagreeing with someone is sick, deranged, and creates a greater division that becomes harder to overcome.

Mickelson last played at the LIV Golf Michigan, where he landed in T29 after scoring 2-under.

Phil Mickelson shares his views on Sable Offshore Corporation's legal defeat

An offshore oil corporation, Sable Offshore Corporation, filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Corporation this year. As a result, both parties were entangled in a legal fight, which ended with the California Coastal Commission's victory against the corporation. The latter was asked to cease pipeline activities.

Phil Mickelson shared a post on his X handle addressing the matter and wrote:

“Sable offshore is a win for EVERYONE including environmentalists! It’s obviously a win for investors who could make a huge profit if the company restarts. It’s a win for all Californians who will have less expensive energy costs than if it doesn’t restart. It’s a win for the community and state who will have increased jobs and tax revenue.”

Phil Mickelson isn't playing any tournaments this week, as the LIV golfer will have his events next year. He'll start with LIV Golf Riyadh from February 5 to 7, and then he'll participate in the LIV Golf Adelaide from February 13 to 15.

Other tournaments in Mickelson's 2026 schedule include LIV Golf Singapore from March 13 to 15, LIV Golf South Africa from March 20 to 22, LIV Golf Mexico City from April 17 to 19, LIV Golf Virginia from May 8 to 10, LIV Golf Andalucía from June 5 to 7, LIV Golf Louisiana from June 26 to 28, LIV Golf UK from July 24 to 26, and LIV Golf Indianapolis from August 21 to 23.