LIV Golf continues to trundle along with the team championship taking place in Michigan this weekend and both Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson have been speaking about the LIV product as a whole.
Since its inception in 2022, there has been so much back and forth about whether LIV has a place in the game that, at times, it gets tiresome.
Naturally, we hear analysts have their say, while plenty of PGA Tour players have spoken on the Saudi-backed tour as well.
However, and in what is arguably the fairest way to get an assessment, hearing from those within LIV itself is the best way to get informed opinions.
Thankfully for us, two of LIV Golf’s biggest stars, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau, have now offered their unique insight into the current state of LIV Golf.
Bryson DeChambeau explains why LIV Golf is good for golf fans
Bryson DeChambeau might not be the individual champion like Jon Rahm but he is undoubtedly the biggest draw on LIV.
The American’s popularity has soared in recent years and now, he’s often seen as one of LIV’s leading voices.
Indeed, ahead of the event in Michigan, DeChambeau was asked how he feels LIV is right now and as expected, he gave an in-depth answer.
“I think, as it comes to players, we’ve been up here in this area a few times. I’ve played well up here. I love the area. I love the people. It’s always fun to come back up in the Detroit area,” DeChambeau admitted.
“I’d say from a player perspective, at least from my perspective, I’ve certainly enjoyed everything about LIV Golf, the team aspect. I mean, we get to do this, which is not normal; it’s not what we used to do. Being able to play against the best players in the world is a lot of fun for me.
“I think, as it comes down to it, having something different from stroke play is fun as well and something we don’t do enough of, I personally think. So I love it. Then from a fan experience, I would say that they get to see some intimate, unique, different style of golf. It’s not just normal stroke play obviously. We barely get to see that throughout the year. You’ve got the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup that we play some team golf events, but seeing this more frequently is, I think, a different experience.
“Then just walking around the complex and having the fan village and feeling like you’re a part of the entertainment is a little different. So there’s numerous reasons why this league’s a lot different, a lot more fun from my perspective. It’s intense. When you get out there, we all want to win. I think that’s the thing that people misunderstand about LIV Golf is that we’re fighting for every single shot. I’ve said it numerous times, but like, when we’re playing stroke play, every single shot matters. It doesn’t matter if you’re 40th and whatnot. Come to the last day, every single shot matters. No matter how bad you’re playing, you still have to hit the next best shot.
“I think that’s what’s a little bit different. There’s that intensity change within the league, which is a misconception. For the fans around here, I think they’re going to have a fun time. They’re going to experience some high-level golf, and later this week hopefully have a fun, enjoyable time that hopefully changes their perspective.”
Phil Mickelson says if he agrees with Bryson DeChambeau about LIV Golf
Of course, another man who is a big believer in what LIV Golf are doing is Phil Mickelson.
The six-time major winner has been there from the start and very much bangs the drum every chance he gets.
Now, he too has offered up his take in response to the same question DeChambeau got.
“I can’t really say from the fans’ point of view other than what I’ve heard because I haven’t been a spectator. It seems that, when fans are leaving, they’ve had a good time. They’ve left relaxed, enjoying and wanting more, rather than have the day drag on, being tired and run down, and being stressed about not interfering and being quiet and so forth. It seems as though the fans have walked away from the experience having fun and wanting more,” Mickelson added.
“From the players’ experience, rather than going into every little detail, I would just say that I used to have anxiousness going to a TOUR event with all the details and things that would go on. I would be anxious and not want to go. I’d go as late as I could.
“A LIV event, I can’t wait to get here. I come earlier. I can’t wait to get here. The experience from a player’s standpoint, it’s better than I could have ever imagined.”
Going into what will be a fifth season next year, LIV know the pressure is on to keep developing and improving their product.
If not, then we could quickly see some players start to look for ways out.
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