Phil Mickelson mulls over playing career at LIV Golf

Phil Mickelson, the six-time major champion, has expressed his willingness to step aside for a younger player in the LIV Golf circuit if he can no longer compete at the level he desires. The 54-year-old Mickelson made this revelation while previewing the Saudi-backed circuit’s upcoming event in Illinois.

Mickelson, who joined LIV Golf in 2022 under a highly publicized contract reportedly worth $200 million, currently serves as the captain of the HyFlyers team, in which he also holds an equity stake. Despite his high-profile status, Mickelson has had a challenging season, with only one top-20 finish on the LIV circuit and making the cut in two of the four majors in 2024.

During a recent press call ahead of LIV’s Individual Championship at Bollingbrook Golf Club, scheduled for September 13-15, Mickelson acknowledged the uncertainty of his future as a player. “I see glimpses, and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level,” Mickelson said, according to the transcript of the press conference. “But I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to, I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels.”

Mickelson also emphasized his commitment to competing in the major tournaments. “I’m in every major on the regular tour next year, and I’ll be in three of the four majors for the next six, seven years,” he said. “I would love to compete and give myself a chance to win in those, and I also want to build this out and create a culture that is sustainable and that people strive to be a part of.”

Regarding his long-term involvement with the HyFlyers, Mickelson stated that he plans to stay intricately involved with the team, regardless of his playing status. “Whether it’s internally as a player or strictly from the outside, I’m going to be intricately involved with the HyFlyers going forward probably for the rest of my life,” he explained.

When asked about his preferred playing schedule if the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s Saudi backers were to finalize a deal to merge commercial operations, Mickelson admitted that his desires might differ from those of other players due to his age. “At 54, my schedule and my desires are going to be totally different than most of the players,” Mickelson said. “So bigger picture, we have to do what’s best for the players on LIV and the best for the players throughout the game of golf and not just focus on a 54-year-old, so my desires aren’t really relevant, I would say, in that conversation.”