Phil Mickelson claims player who never won on the PGA Tour before joining LIV is now ‘one of the best’ golfers in the world

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One of the big criticisms of LIV Golf over the last few years has been that the league simply does not have the depth to compete with the PGA Tour.

While LIV Golf have signed a number of star names in recent years – with the PGA Tour definitely missing the likes of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka – they have struggled to bolster the ranks in that tier below.

Obviously, players such as Tyrrell Hatton and Joaquin Niemann have the potential to win majors. And there are a number of legendary figures who have won at least one of the sport’s four biggest prizes.

But, in the eyes of Phil Mickelson, there is another member of the league who needs to be put alongside the marquee names.

Phil Mickelson names LIV Golf player is one of the best in the world

Mickelson is yet to win on LIV, with Brendan Steele the only member of the HyFlyers to have triumphed in an individual event so far. However, speaking on In Pursuit, Mickelson suggested that it is another member of the team who has reached an elite level.

“Last year we didn’t play as well as we wanted to obviously and we finished in the bottom there, but this team has a lot of potential. This team has a lot of great things. We had a few set backs last year. I certainly didn’t play the way I know I am capable of,” he said.

“Andy [Ogletree] is one of the best players in the world and he was struggling with some injuries.

“Steeley won in Adelaide and Cameron [Tringale] has been a solid mainstay. I believe with Steeley and Cameron playing the way they have, and just solid, steady golf and Andy and I are going to go on a tear this year and help this team really thrive.”

How Andy Ogletree has performed since joining LIV Golf

Those associated with LIV do not help themselves at times. Scott O’Neil was ridiculed in Adelaide after claiming that LIV is the one place to watch the best players outside of the majors. And Mickelson’s comments do not hold up too well right now.

Ogletree has three professional wins during his career – all on the Asian Tour. He did not pull up many trees on the PGA Tour, and he only has a handful of top 10 finishes on LIV.

He has been dealing with injury, with the 26-year-old noting that he spent some of the off-season recovering from a wrist problem.

“I had a busy off-season. I got engaged and had wrist surgery, so there was a lot going on. I am back playing golf again and going through my rehab and trying to get back healthy,” he said.

Ogletree will probably appreciate his captain making such a strong claim about his quality. However, it certainly piles some pressure on him this season.