Phil Mickelson reacts for the first time after being told he can’t return to the PGA Tour  

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The PGA Tour have carved a path for a select few LIV Golf players to return, and Phil Mickelson has been left out in the cold.

Brooks Koepka has been allowed to return to the PGA Tour after he agreed to make a $5 million charitable donation. He will also lose access to 2026 FedEx Cup bonus money, sponsor exemptions to the $20 million signature events, and any equity grants in the PGA Tour for five years.

That’s an offer extended to all LIV Golf players who have won a major or The Players Championship since the league’s inception in 2022. Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith qualify for this, and they have until February 2 to decide. 

But noticeably, six-time major winner Phil Mickelson does not meet the PGA Tour’s criteria, meaning he won’t be able to return under the same conditions as Koepka. And the ever-outspoken Mickelson responded to this on social media. 

Phil Mickelson responds to PGA Tour snub on social media

Mickelson has been one of the most outspoken voices against the PGA Tour in recent years, and the HyFlyers captain remains one of LIV’s biggest names, even at 55 years of age. 

But having won his most recent major championship in 2021, he isn’t eligible for Koepka’s offer from the PGA Tour.

Judging by his response on social media, it doesn’t seem like he is too bothered by this! Responding to Golf Digest’s X post about Mickelson being left out of the PGA Tour’s offer, he had a three-emoji reply:

How will history reflect on Phil Mickelson?

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“🤭😂😂”

It’s simply not in Mickelson’s nature to admit that his omission bothered him, so we’d never know if he actually cares. But Mickelson has been consistent in saying that he does not plan on returning to the PGA Tour. 

It seems like this all-time legend will end his golfing career with the Saudi-backed league. The question now is who he will be competing against when it’s all said and done.

Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau’s thoughts on their LIV Golf future revealed

As the PGA Tour laid down an ultimatum to LIV Golf’s superstars, all eyes turned to Rahm and DeChambeau. And their feelings about their future on the tour have since been made clear. 

First, Ten Golf reported that Rahm has no intention of rejoining the PGA Tour in 2026. He joined LIV most recently among the names that were offered Koepka’s deal, and it’s unknown how long he remains on his LIV Golf contract. It could well be untenable for him to walk away from LIV, so for now, he’s staying put. 

As for DeChambeau, he also has no intention of leaving the league, of which he has become the poster boy in recent years. Golf Digest reported that the American plans to see out his contract, which ends at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

However, DeChambeau is hesitant to extend that deal and could leave LIV at the end of this year. Whether he intends on negotiating his future with the PGA Tour ahead of 2027 remains to be seen.