Six-time Major champion Phil Mickelson recently expressed his opinion on the potential merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. He further credited LIV Golf for bringing change in the sport of golf.
The LIV Golfer, who was one of the notable players to initially sign for the Saudi breakaway tour, was asked by Bloomberg’s Haslinda Amin if the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merger would help golf. Mickelson said (via Golf.com):
“I don’t know if it’s necessary. I know that a few years ago, it was not an option to have elevated events. It was not an option for players to have equity. And it wasn’t an option for players to transcend social media markets and create YouTube channels and have their own social media posts the way Bryson has done.”
He further lauded 2024 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau for attracting more people and bringing a cool vibe to the game.
“And the way Bryson has brought golf and this cool, hip vibe to so many people on YouTube. That wasn’t an option. So until LIV happened, none of that was going to happen. Now because of LIV, those are all happening,” Phil Mickelson added.
As per Forbes, Phil Mickelson joined LIV Golf in a $200 million deal. The HyFlyers FC star accepted the potential benefits of the merger between the two Tours but argued that the sport was benefitting because of the competition. He said the merger between PGA Tour and LIV Golf isn’t necessary but it’ll help reduce the hostility between the tours and players.
The 54-year-old acknowledged the hostility that has developed because of the bad experiences after he joined LIV Golf in 2022. He said:”
“I need to let that stuff go. I need to let go of all the experiences I have had in the past that were less than positive. I need to let go of my hostilities, and we all do for the betterment of the game.
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