Phil Mickelson Has Strong Comments on LIV Golf Amid PGA Tour Season
Phil Mickelson Has Strong Comments on LIV Golf Amid PGA Tour Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Phil Mickelson, now 54, has enjoyed an extraordinary career with 57 professional victories, including 45 on the PGA Tour, which ties him for eighth all-time. He also has won six major championships. But in many ways, his decision to join LIV Golf may be the most significant pivot in his professional life.
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The former Arizona State Sun Devils standout turned pro in 1992 and remains one of the sport's most influential voices. He embraced the LIV Golf format and continues to be one of its strongest advocates.
In a recent interview with Golf Digest's Jamie Kennedy, Mickelson shared passionate thoughts on the state of LIV Golf and its progress.
"Phil was asked yesterday about his current assessment of where LIV Golf is," Kennedy posted. "Here's his full 2.5 minute answer."
When asked about his assessment of the LIV Golf landscape, Mickelson didn't hold back.
'I think that LIV has made some incredible strides in getting to where we want this to be. It will get there. I don't know the exact timeline. That is, we want all the best players in the world to be able to compete against each other more often and on a global scale.'
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He continued, contrasting LIV with the traditional PGA Tour model he followed for decades:
'The model I was part of for decades just didn't allow for that. We rarely played each other. We never had elevated events. Outside of the majors, we didn't all compete against each other. And we couldn't move the tour internationally. That's frustrating—for sponsors, for fans who are paying for events and television coverage and don't know what they're getting. When fans don't get to see the best players, that's tough. LIV's model is what the sport needs to succeed.'
Mickelson pointed to recent events as proof that LIV is setting the right course:
'We saw it even at last week's signature event. Players will do what's best for them unless contractually obligated, just like in the NFL or MLB. That model, when brought to LIV, has helped make professional golf a global sport.'
Phil Mickelson at the Masters Tournament.© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Mickelson will compete in the upcoming U.S. Open, which marks the fifth and final year of the exemption he earned when he won the 2021 PGA Championship. It could be his last opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam, as the U.S. Open is the only major he hasn't won.
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His recent record at the U.S. Open has been rough. He has missed the cut three years in a row. The last time he made the cut was in 2021, when he tied for 62nd. His best shot came in 2013, when he tied for second — the most recent of six runner-up finishes at the event.
Whether he can add one more legendary moment to his Hall of Fame career remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Mickelson is betting big on LIV, and he's not looking back.
Related: Scottie Scheffler Earns New Nickname After 16th PGA Tour Win
Related: Rory McIlroy Sends Strong Message to Scottie Scheffler After 16th PGA Tour Win
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
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