Mickelson says he remains committed to his team. — Reuters
PHIL Mickelson will step aside from competing on LIV Golf if he cannot play at the level he desires. That’s what the six-time major champion says.
The 54-year-old Mickelson, who was one of the higher-profile names to join the circuit in 2022 on a reported US$200mil contract, is currently captain of a HyFlyers team in which he also has an equity stake.
Mickelson, speaking on a call ahead of LIV’s Sept 13 to 15 Individual Championship at Bollingbrook Golf Club, has one top-20 finish on the circuit that rivals the US PGA Tour, this season and also made the cut at two of the four majors in 2024.
“I see glimpses, and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level, but I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to, I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels,” Mickelson said.
“I’m in every major on the regular tour next year, and I’ll be in three of the four majors for the next six, seven years.
“I would love to compete and give myself a chance to win in those, and I also want to build this out and create a culture that is sustainable and that people strive to be a part of.
“How I do that, whether it’s internally as a player and so forth, or whether it’s strictly from the outside, I’m going to be intricately involved with the HyFlyers going forward, probably the rest of my life, and then my playing career I’ll be realistic where I’m at, too.”
Mickelson was also asked what type of playing schedule he would like to see if the PGA Tour and Saudi backers of LIV Golf ever finalise a deal to merge commercial operations in a new for-profit entity.
“I’m not part of those conversations. At 54, my schedule and my desires are going to be totally different than most of the players,” said Mickelson.
“So for the bigger picture, we have to do what’s best for the players on LIV and the best for the players throughout the game of golf and not just focus on a 54-year-old, so my desires aren’t really relevant, I would say, in that conversation.”
On the PGA Tour, the first round of the Wyndham Championship was postponed Thursday due to dangerous conditions and heavy rainfall related to Tropical Storm Debby.
The plan was for the 156-player field to begin the tournament on Friday at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The PGA Tour Rules Committee was to determine updated starting times after assessing the golf course.
There were numerous flash flood warnings issued, forcing the closure of all facilities at the course.
