Phill Mickelson on PGA and LIV dispute: It’s short-term disruption for long-term gain

The El Camaleón Golf Course in Mexico is already shaking. From 24 February, LIV Golf will play its new season there, which includes a total of fourteen stops. One of the biggest stars in world golf, Phill Mickelson, is also part of the Saudi Arabian project. He too is looking forward to getting the tournament carousel rolling.

Phil Mickelson is one of the most talked about golfers of the last year. For no one else has the overall face picture changed as dramatically as it has for him with his move to LIV Golf. No other player was more instrumental in the early days of LIV Golf. From the very first days that the Saudi-funded project emerged on the scene, Mickelson became the face of it.

Last year’s turbulent year began when he criticized the Saudi regime and pointed to human rights abuses, for which he subsequently apologized. He then withdrew from golf and the public for four months.

When he returned, he was the full face of LIV Golf. From the beginning, Mickelson pointed out how much the PGA Tour restricts and limits players. Switching to the LIV made the most sense for him from a career and life standpoint.

LIV Golf has virtually become Mickelson’s tool to fight the PGA regime that is so disadvantageous to players. Today, he is going into his 32nd season as a professional golfer. He will make his first start in 2023 in Saudi Arabia, while the LIV Golf League program begins in late February.

Because of unfortunate comments about the Saudi Arabian golf establishment, it was actually unclear for a long time what Mickelson’s goal was. But when he said in the following months that the competitive venture would bring a heap of benefits for PGA Tour players as well, many fans were left in doubt.

Yet it happened. Just a year ago, Mickelson harshly criticized PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan for sitting on his money. But when other players began fleeing the PGA for the LIV, Monahan realized he had to act.

For the next season, the PGA Tour significantly increased the purses, also providing many players with guaranteed money of $500,000 if they complete a certain number of tournaments in a year.

Many PGA fans looked at Mickelson as someone playing savior. But if one of his goals was to get more money for the players, he succeeded. “A number of guys thanked me profusely. I appreciate the number of players who have thanked me for accomplishing some of these changes that have happened on the PGA Tour,” Mickelson said in a Sports Illustrated interview.

Although there are rumors circulating through the public about the tarnished relationships between players who have worked on the PGA Tour and those who still play on the circuit, that is not the case with Phil Mickelson. “I haven’t had anyone come up to me and say anything negative,” said the fifty-two-year-old matador. In addition, about a dozen players have reportedly come up to him during play recently and have praised the presence of LIV Golf.

“I think there’s probably a bias. No one has come up to me all year and said anything negative. I see comments on social media and the like, but otherwise nothing,” he said on the controversy circulating mainly in the media world. He did not want to comment on the events surrounding Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic as they do not concern him at all.

Mickelson further claims that the existence of LIV Golf will bear fruit for the sport in the future. Be it the presence of the aforementioned competition or the team aspect that is part of LIV. He claims that the team competition has a positive impact not only on the spectators but also on the players themselves. “You try to be the best. That’s what has always pushed me in my career. And now it’s also pushing the guys on my team,” he said.

He wouldn’t discuss specific names or the makeup of his team, as the unveiling of all the teams hasn’t officially taken place yet. However, there is talk that LIV Golf is expected to announce some interesting and high-profile signings soon.

There has been talk in recent weeks that the long silence of the new golf venture spells trouble. However, general manager Greg Norman said a few days ago that it was a deliberate tactic to not overwhelm spectators before the season even started.

Norman and Mickelson are in agreement in their views. Neither liked the politics of the PGA Tour for many years, and for many years they failed to bring about any fundamental changes.

That only happened with the advent of LIV Golf. Although there is currently a feud raging between the PGA and the LIV, fueled by lawsuits, Mickelson is clear about the current situation. “It’sshort-term disruption for long-term gain. That‘s it,” he concluded.

Source:: LIV Golf, Sports Illustrated