In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig, Phil Mickelson described his gambling habit as dangerous and embarrassing. Harig spoke with Mickelson while he was travelling to the London event, just hours after LIV Golf announced Monday that he would return to competition this week.

Mickelson has been in a self-imposed exile since early February, following reports that he made disparaging remarks about the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series and the PGA Tour.

Mickelson spoke with Harig about various topics, including his status on the Tour and his relationship with the Saudis. But his comments about his long-standing gambling habit drew the most attention.

When questioned if he was in financial trouble, Mickelson told Harig, "My gambling had gotten to the point of being reckless and embarrassing." It was something I had to deal with. And I've been working on it for a long time. Hundreds of hours of counselling, too. I like where I'm at right now. For a long time, my family and I have been financially stable.

Since I can remember, gambling has been a part of my life. But it became risky about a decade ago, in my opinion. It isn't very comfortable. It bothers me that folks are aware of my situation. I've been coping with it for quite some time. Amy has been incredibly supportive of everything, me, and the process. We've arrived at our destination.

Mickelson also stated that there is a distinction between gambling on and off the course.

It creates competition on the golf course. But he added that he needed to address the worry, as well as the other issues that come with off-course gambling and addiction.

Mickelson lost an estimated $40 million between 2010 and 2014, according to Alan Shipnuk, author of a recent Mickelson biography.

Mickelson stated that he intends to compete at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, next week after competing in this week's inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event, which has a $25 million payout.

He remarked, "I'm looking forward to playing in the U.S. Open, and I'll be there." "I'm under the impression I'll be able to play."

The 51-year-old also stated that he was aware that he could have competed in the first two majors of the season but that he wanted some rest. He claimed he watched the Masters, which he has won three times, and the PGA Championship, which he was defending champion.

Mickelson expressed his desire to keep his lifetime membership on the Tour, which he earned due to his win total and service. He claimed he hasn't spoken with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, but he has spoken with representatives from the other organisations.

My [PGA Tour] membership is still active. I put forth a significant amount of work to get the lifetime membership. And I'm hoping to be able to play wherever I choose, whether it's on the PGA Tour, LIV, or somewhere else, he said.

When Mickelson was mentioned in a Fire Pit Collective story earlier this year, saying, among other things, "[The Saudis] are terrifying to get involved with," the relationship with LIV Golf appeared to be strained. We know they assassinated [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a dismal human rights record. People are executed for being gay in that country. Why would I ever consider it was knowing all of this? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change the way things are done.

When asked by Haring how he can "square that link" between playing for a new league supported by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and human rights atrocities, Mickelson said, "I certainly do not condone human rights violations." And dealing with what happened to Jamal Khashoggi is a nightmare. However, I have witnessed the positive impact that [the] game of golf has had throughout history. I also believe that LIV can be beneficial to the game of golf.