In a world of golf that is still divided for the time being, it looks like we’re going to see both LIV Golf and the PGA Tour coincide as separate entities for the immediate future at least.
Despite suggestions in November that a deal was close, nothing has moved forward and with the 2025 PGA Tour season underway and LIV Golf kicking off soon, we’re in for at least another year of how it’s been for the last three years.
As we all know, LIV’s unofficial motto and common phrase from its top players has been about ‘growing the game’. But those statements have often fell on deaf ears, with fans finding it hard to look past the money involved and the 54-hole format still not for everyone.
However, one of the big advocates for LIV has been six-time major winner, Phil Mickelson.
Mickelson has had more than one pot shot at the PGA Tour since moving to LIV and he’s now been speaking to the media to suggest LIV has overtaken the TOUR in at least one aspect.
Phil Mickelson says LIV Golf do one thing so much better than the PGA Tour
Mickelson was giving a wide-ranging interview with Fox Business about the business side of golf but while doing so, got onto the growth of LIV compared to the PGA Tour.
And according to Mickelson, LIV Golf are the ones who are getting more from the game globally.
“We’re the first global model. We’re able to bring the best players and the best teams across the world now. We’re trying to grow the game on a global basis. We’re additive. We’re only 14 weeks of the year, there’s 38 other weeks of golf. We’re all in this together. We want to grow the fanbase, we want to grow the game through the world and the United States.
“The PGA Tour has done a great job for many, many years, but they’re kind of a national, US-centric based model, where we’re much more global, much more younger target audience.
“We’re much younger and different demographics that we’re trying to hit and we’re trying to make the fan experience on site, much more enjoyable. So we’re additive rather than competitive.”
Why Phil Mickelson was furious with the PGA Tour in 2024
Since leaving for LIV, Mickelson has not held back when it comes to certain criticisms of the PGA Tour and he’s never one to keep his opinion in.
Indeed, Mickelson was furious back in December as he accused the TOUR of violating independent contracting laws.
“This is a clear violation of independent contract law,” the six-time major winner wrote. “I’m so sorry these professionals are continuing to be blackmailed by the Tour. It’s not right and is, in fact, illegal,” Mickelson said at the time.
‘Lefty’s’ rant was in response to the PGA seemingly blocking players from taking part in a brand new par three league.
For now, it looks very much like Mickelson is happy to take on the PGA Tour and we’ve no doubt not heard the last of things either.
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