Phil Mickelson, despite not showcasing his best golf since joining LIV Golf two years ago, expressed confidence at the LIV UK event this week. The six-time major champion hyped up both the support behind the event and his own game as he arrived at JCB Golf and Country Club for his second round on Saturday.
Mickelson was a key figure in the creation of the breakaway league and has seen many big names join since its inception. Both he and LIV Golf have faced criticism since the move in 2022. However, ahead of the second round of the UK event, Mickelson reminded critics of the league’s impressive rise. He posted a clip of fans queuing to enter the sold-out event and tweeted, “Sold out LIV event (again).”
Feeling rejuvenated, Mickelson stated that he had rediscovered his form after a period of underwhelming performances since joining Greg Norman and co. “I found my game (finally). It’s going to be an awesome day,” he tweeted. He started the week with a one-under-par 71 on Friday.
https://x.com/PhilMickelson/status/1817140550769721344?t=Oc4ImWO9l1o0AWoivuQrVA&s=19
Mickelson’s opening round could have been even better if not for a double bogey at the par-four 16th. Nonetheless, he made four birdies, including three consecutive birdies between the 10th and 12th holes, garnering strong support from the UK crowd.
Once considered one of the world’s greatest golfers, Mickelson has struggled to replicate his peak performances since switching to LIV Golf. He has yet to secure a victory on the breakaway circuit and has only broken into the top-10 three times in 30 starts. His best finish came in Jeddah earlier this year, where he tied for sixth at 10-under-par, seven shots behind Joaquin Niemann.
Despite his struggles, Mickelson has played a significant role in the growth of the Saudi-funded league, both on and off the course. Reflecting on LIV Golf’s progress at Valderrama earlier this month, he emphasized the importance of recognizing their achievements. “I think the progress, how far we’ve come is what I like to focus on. We are not where we want to be, but sometimes you have to identify progress,” he said in Spain. “We’ve come a long ways the last two years, and we’re building momentum. We are not where we want to be. But we are on our way and we’ve come a long way. I think it’s important to identify the progress we’ve made.”