Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau were two of the biggest players to join LIV Golf in 2022, after jumping ship from the PGA Tour.
Since moving to LIV Golf, six-time major champion Mickelson and the long-hitting DeChambeau have naturally become closer, having spent more time together on the road.
Mickelson has commented on DeChambeau’s remarkable rise in popularity since he joined LIV from the PGA Tour.
The two-time US Open champion now has a huge following on social media, and Mickelson has never been shy of sharing his admiration for DeChambeau.
The feeling is very much mutual, with DeChambeau often praising Mickelson to the hilt, especially for his incredible short game.
The duo often appear together in YouTube videos alongside social media phenomenon Grant Horvat and it’s clear to see that they are very much on each other’s wavelength.
However, were the two players always so fond of each other, before they joined LIV?
Phil Mickelson commented on Bryson DeChambeau after playing with him in 2016
Before The Masters in 2016, Mickelson played a practice round at Augusta National alongside DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson.
At the time, the now 32-year-old was still an amateur, although he turned pro immediately after The Masters had finished.
But what did the six-time major champion make of DeChambeau’s detailed and very much scientific approach to playing golf?
Mickelson spoke to reporters after the practice round at Augusta in 2016 and responded when asked to give his opinion on the new kid on the block, at the time.
He said: “I really like him, I really like him. And what’s really funny was the line of the day, I thought, came from Dustin, as a matter of fact. Bryson and I were talking about some of the science of an uphill putt and a downhill putt and the break and why it’s most from this point and that point and so forth. He was using some pretty scientific terms and Dustin kind of shook his head and he said, ‘If I hang around you guys much longer, I’ll never break 100‘.
“I really enjoy spending time with Bryson because he comes at the game from such a different point of view and has such well-thought-out opinions as to why and how it should be played a certain way, a different way, the way that he plays it. He’s a terrific player. He’s fun to be around.”
It’s little wonder why a man with Mickelson’s creative mind would be such a big fan of DeChambeau.
The two golfers are clearly very appreciative of each other’s brilliance.
What Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau really think about LIV as a product
Back in August ahead of the Team Championship in Michigan, DeChambeau was asked by reporters to give his honest opinion on LIV Golf as a product.
He said: “I’d say from a player perspective, at least from my perspective, I’ve certainly enjoyed everything about LIV Golf, the team aspect. I mean, we get to do this, which is not normal; it’s not what we used to do. Being able to play against the best players in the world is a lot of fun for me.
“I think, as it comes down to it, having something different from stroke play is fun as well and something we don’t do enough of, I personally think. So I love it. Then from a fan experience, I would say that they get to see some intimate, unique, different style of golf. It’s not just normal stroke play obviously. We barely get to see that throughout the year. You’ve got the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup that we play some team golf events, but seeing this more frequently is, I think, a different experience.“
Then Mickelson was asked whether he agrees with DeChambeau’s take on LIV Golf.
He said: “I can’t really say from the fans’ point of view other than what I’ve heard because I haven’t been a spectator. It seems that, when fans are leaving, they’ve had a good time. They’ve left relaxed, enjoying and wanting more, rather than have the day drag on, being tired and run down, and being stressed about not interfering and being quiet and so forth. It seems as though the fans have walked away from the experience having fun and wanting more,” Mickelson added.
“From the players’ experience, rather than going into every little detail, I would just say that I used to have anxiousness going to a TOUR event with all the details and things that would go on. I would be anxious and not want to go. I’d go as late as I could.
“A LIV event, I can’t wait to get here. I come earlier. I can’t wait to get here. The experience from a player’s standpoint, it’s better than I could have ever imagined.”
Whether they both genuinely believe in the LIV product is up for debate, and it remains to be seen if the Saudi-backed outfit are able to hang on to all of their top stars in the coming years.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
