Phil Mickelson once suggested why no LIV players would want Rory McIlroy on their teams

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Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy certainly haven’t seen eye to eye since the inception of LIV Golf in 2022.

Numerous players jumped ship from the PGA Tour in order to join LIV Golf three years ago, Mickelson included.

McIlroy was an outspoken critic of LIV at the time, and despite softening his stance slightly, he is still very much one of the Saudi-backed league’s leading detractors.

Despite the Northern Irishman’s protests against LIV and everything the tour stands for, the emergence of the Saudi-backed outfit has undoubtedly been the kick up the backside that the PGA Tour needed.

Some have even suggested that McIlroy should be thanking Mickelson and co due to the fact that LIV has forced the PGA Tour to increase their purses.

In fairness to the current Masters champion, he has changed his tune slightly in recent months.

McIlroy has suggested that bringing LIV and the PGA Tour together would be beneficial for the game of golf in general.

That is a far cry from his attitude when the LIV Golf league was initially announced.

Phil Mickelson said no LIV players would want Rory McIlroy on their teams

Back in June 2023 when tensions between the two rival factions were at their highest, McIlroy admitted to being worn out after playing at the Memorial Tournament.

One of the key selling points of LIV has always been that the reduced schedule prevents the players from burning out.

And Mickelson took to his X account to make that point, while aiming a subtle dig at McIlroy in the process.

The 55-year-old said: “As worn out as McIlroy was after the Masters and his need for an off season, LIV would be perfect for him. Problem is I don’t think there’s a team that wants him on it because they’d have to deal with all his bs.“

Wow, that’s what you call a power move from Mickelson.

He has made a name for himself over the past two years by offering his controversial takes on social media.

Rory McIlroy has accepted LIV Golf is here to stay

Back in 2024, McIlroy opened up on how he was perhaps too judgemental at the start when LIV Golf was formed.

He said: “I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start.

“It was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position.

“I can’t judge people for making that decision, so if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgemental at the start.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now. We’re professional golfers and we play to make a living and make money, so I understand it.”

Whilst McIlroy and Mickelson are by no means close friends, they have put their differences aside recently, with the common goal being the need to produce the best product possible for the fans.

Hopefully, some kind of merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour can be facilitated in the near future.