Phil Mickelson’s merger stance clear after PGA Tour rival offers olive branch

Phil Mickelson has shown no interest in returning to the PGA Tour, despite fellow major champion Wyndham Clark extending a warm invitation. Mickelson was one of the leading figures in the mass exodus of top golfers to LIV Golf in 2022, severing ties with the PGA Tour after over 30 years on the circuit. Last June, however, a potential pathway for his return emerged when the PGA Tour announced a framework agreement with LIV Golf’s backers, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

More than 16 months later, the deal between the two sides has yet to be finalized, but once it is, the PGA Tour is expected to lift the bans on players like Mickelson. Wyndham Clark, who rejected LIV Golf to stay with the PGA Tour, recently shared his belief that certain LIV players, including Mickelson, deserve to be welcomed back. Speaking on the No Laying Up Podcast, Clark acknowledged that not every LIV golfer should return, but said, “I think guys that have had the career where they should be lifelong PGA Tour players, I think they deserve the right to come play the PGA Tour.”

Clark specifically mentioned Mickelson, along with fellow major winners Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, saying, “They deserve to play wherever they want, because they’re so good.” However, Mickelson seems content with his current status in LIV Golf. After news of the proposed “merger” broke last year, Mickelson made it clear that neither he nor other LIV players were interested in rejoining the PGA Tour.

Mickelson took to X (formerly Twitter) in July, stating, “Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout media to disparage all of us.” He went on to suggest that future sanctions for players leaving for LIV Golf might be a more pertinent topic of discussion.

Mickelson’s comments reinforced his stance on the merger, as he praised the player experience on the LIV circuit. “From a player experience, all of the difficulties and challenges that take excessive energy throughout the week have been fixed at LIV,” Mickelson said, adding, “I just can’t envision a better scenario for me as a player than playing out here on LIV.”

Mickelson remains one of the most successful players in PGA Tour history, second only to Tiger Woods in total prize money earned, with nearly $97 million in winnings. He is also tied for eighth on the all-time winners list, with 45 career PGA Tour victories. Despite his historic legacy on the Tour, Mickelson appears committed to forging a new chapter with LIV Golf.