While the television ratings will probably not end up showing it, LIV Golf certainly boasted the more exciting leaderboard down the stretch on Sunday up against the Canadian Open on the PGA Tour.
At one stage late in the day, there were six players tied for the lead at LIV Golf Virginia. Meanwhile, the Canadian Open lacked star power at the top of the leaderboard as Ryan Fox managed to edge out Sam Burns in a playoff.
Ultimately, Joaquin Niemann secured his fourth win of the year. Somehow, the event at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club did not need a playoff of its own. But it was another name in Gainesville who seemed to create the biggest talking point of the week.
Phil Mickelson finished tied for fourth after firing a 65 on Sunday. There was no question at all what the highlight of the round was, with Lefty chipping in on 17 with a shot where he virtually had his back to the pin.
Why Phil Mickelson’s performance in Virginia was so important for LIV Golf
Mickelson’s shot stunned the crowds. It will perhaps prove to be the most iconic shot in LIV Golf history. It says something that it will be added to the pantheon of the 54-year-old’s greatest ever shots when you consider just how good that particular highlight reel already is.
But Mickelson’s overall performance was arguably much more significant to LIV Golf, particularly when you consider comments he made in the build-up to the tournament.
Mickelson was in a reflective mood as he was asked about his future on the HyFlyers team.
“As far as my playing schedule, I don’t know the answer to that. I think that my desire and energy and excitement to play, a lot of it has to do with the fact that I’m on this team and get to spend time with these guys. It makes me excited and looking forward to getting back out and playing so that we can hang,” he said.
“Hey, we were talking in the locker room this morning, I hadn’t seen them in a couple weeks, how much I was looking forward to being with them and hanging with them. I just enjoy being around these guys. This is a big part of my desire and energy to play and to play well and to be out here on LIV.
“So I don’t have a great answer for you. I’m also going to be 55 in a couple weeks, so I want to be realistic there, too. I want this team to succeed. I don’t want to hold it back. If I’m not an asset, if I’m not helping, if I’m holding it back, then it’s time for me to move on and get somebody else in here who is going to really help the team win and succeed.
“These guys deserve to experience that, and I want them to. As a partner in this team, I want that, as well.
“That needs to be the top priority is what can I do to help this team win, and if as a player I’m holding it back, then it’s time for me to move on.
“”This year I’ve played better. I feel like I’ve held it back. I feel like I’ve held it back the last couple years. I had a great off-season. I don’t feel I’m holding it back now. If I can continue to play well, help the team succeed, then I want to play. But if not, I’m also realistic and I want the team to succeed more than I want my own personal interest of playing.”
LIV Golf may not need to worry about losing Phil Mickelson as a player just yet
Whatever you think of Mickelson, it cannot be denied that he is one of the biggest superstars the game has had over the last four decades. His longevity remains underrated, with his major championship debut coming at the US Open 35 years ago.
So it is imperative to LIV that he remains a prominent figure in the league. LIV is having a hard enough time making fans care about the product, even with such an impressive group of names at the top of the leaderboard most weeks.
Mickelson stepping aside as a player would be a major blow to LIV. The team concept is yet to take off at all, it seems, so having him as some sort of team manager in the background is hardly going to move the needle, particularly if he is replaced by another PGA Tour journeyman.
But Mickelson now has three top 10s this year. He is also 20 places higher than any of his teammates in the season standings. He is most definitely still contributing.
With that, it looks set to be some time before LIV needs to worry about how they possibly fill a void left by Phil Mickelson.
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