What Phil Mickelson said when asked if he wanted to play on the PGA Tour again when he first joined LIV Golf

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Phil Mickelson left the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf League back in 2022.

Mickelson is one of the greatest to ever play the game, and has 45 PGA Tour wins and six major titles to his name.

However, since joining LIV Golf, the 54-year-old is without a win.

He has become somewhat of a divisive figure since joining the Saudi-backed outfit.

Mickelson was forced to eat humble pie after Scottie Scheffler won his last two events, after claiming that he wouldn’t be victorious up until the Ryder Cup in September.

He has since backtracked on those comments, but his controversial takes didn’t stop there.

Mickelson even suggested that LIV team golf is even better than the Ryder Cup in certain aspects.

It does seem like the six-time major champion is simply just trolling golf fans in order to get a reaction at times.

And that’s sad really, isn’t it, given all that he’s achieved in the game of golf.

What Phil Mickelson said when asked if he wanted to play on the PGA Tour again

Mickelson has hit the headlines for more bad reasons than good ones over the past three years.

And it’s very interesting now to look back on his comments about the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

Back in 2022, Mickelson responded when asked how he felt about his fellow tour pros criticising him for joining LIV Golf.

He said, “So I understand how many people are going to have very strong opinions on this, my peers included. I respect their opinions. I can empathise with their — their feelings, and I’m appreciative to the many peers that have reached out to me and shown their support as well.“

He was then asked to give a response after ‘going dark’ for four months following his controversial comments on Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Mickelson explained, “I have had an awesome time. I have had a four-month break from the game that I have not had in over three decades. I’ve had an opportunity to spend time with my wife, Amy, a bunch, and travel parts of the world and spend time at a place we have in Montana skiing, and hike in Sedona, what a beautiful place that is. It’s given me time to continue some of the work and therapy I’ve been working on in some areas that I’ve been deficient in my life. It’s given me time to reflect on what I want to do going forward or what’s best for me, what’s best for the people I care about.

“And this is an opportunity that allows me to still have golf in my life, but also have a balance where I can be more present, I can be more engaged with the people I really care about. And that is — that is why when I think about being a part of LIV Golf, I feel so good about it.“

And then finally, Mickelson responded when asked whether he sees a future for himself on the PGA Tour.

He said, “I have been a part of the TOUR for over 30 years, and I’ve had a lot of incredible memories that have been formed and experiences that I’ve shared. Tournaments that I’ve won and been a part of; tournaments that I’ve lost and been a part of, and also, I’ve gained a lot. I’ve received a lot from the PGA TOUR and I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for everything the PGA TOUR and the game of golf has provided for me and my family.

“I’ve also worked really hard to contribute and try to build and add value to the TOUR during my time there, and I worked really hard to earn a lifetime exemption. And I — I don’t want to give that up. I don’t believe I should have to. I don’t know what that means for a future, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I’ve earned that, and I don’t plan on just giving it up.“

Phil Mickelson’s PGA Tour record

Mickelson’s numbers on the PGA Tour really are very impressive indeed.

He even won an event as an amateur golfer back in 1991!

Not many players can match his record:

Those numbers can be matched by few who have played the game.

He’s tied for eighth with Walter Hagen on the all-time list of PGA Tour events won and is tied for 12th with Lee Trevino and Nick Faldo in the major wins list.

Mickelson should be viewed as an absolute legend of the game, given his accomplishments on the PGA Tour.

Sadly though, that’s not the case these days, and his move to LIV Golf has a lot to answer for regarding that.