In the war that is LIV Golf vs. the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson believes he’s on the winning side.
At this week’s Greg Norman-run showcase in Saudi Arabia, the man known as Lefty didn’t mince words when it came to each league’s current and future status in the game of golf.
“I firmly believe that I’m on the winning side of how things are going to evolve and shape in the coming years for professional golf,” Mickelson said Thursday before the 54-hole no-cut event gets underway Friday with a shotgun start.
“We play against a lot of the best players in the world on LIV and there are a lot of the best players in the world on the PGA Tour. And until some of the — well until both sides sit down and have a conversation and work something out, both sides are going to continue to change and evolve.”
LIV’s continued pursuit of evolution took another step last week as they announced a “strategic alliance” with the little-known MENA Tour in an effort to receive Official World Golf Ranking points for its players.
The OWGR denied LIV members points for their events in Bangkok and Jeddah but has yet to clarify if future events will yield different results.
Dustin Johnson, who has finished inside the top eight in five of six LIV events including a win at the Boston stop, has fallen to No. 24 in the world. Cameron Smith, thanks to his win at the Open, remains at No. 2.
Despite its lack of recognition from golf’s power rankers, Mickelson believes LIV and the Tour are headed in opposite directions.
“I see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the PGA Tour trending downwards and I love the side that I’m on. And I love how I feel. I love how I’m reinvigorated and excited to play golf and compete. I love the experience. I love the way they treat us.”
Could it be this newfound energy Mickelson has discovered comes from the relieved stress of no longer having to compete for a spot above the cut line — during his last full season on Tour, he had twice as many missed cuts as top 40s — or maybe it’s because he can finally let his calves breathe during tournament rounds.
Who could know for sure?
Phil Mickelson waits to tee off from the 12th tee box during the first round of a LIV Golf tournament at Rich Harvest Farms. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
When asked if he’s surprised LIV has been able to pull off what they have, Mickelson gave credit to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
“I’m not surprised, no. I believe in the passion — look, the game of golf is very lucky to have the PIF invest in the game,” he said. “The sport of the game of golf is being influxed with billions of dollars now. And the ability to go global and make golf a truly global sport is really beneficial for the game.”
In unrelated news, Brendan Steele finished his first round Thursday with a two-shot lead as the PGA Tour plays the Zozo Championship in Japan.
Mickelson’s LIV resume has improved over the last few events. After opening with four straight finishes outside the top 30 in 48-man fields, the 52-year-old grabbed 8th in Chicago and 17th in Bangkok.
He’ll need something similar this week in Jeddah as his Hi Flyers GC currently sits ninth out of 12 teams with the team championship in Miami next on the calendar.