Phil Mickelson Talks LIV Golf's Future and Its Tug-of-War With PGA Tour

Phil Mickelson has doubled down on his belief that LIV Golf is here to stay, despite ongoing tensions and negotiations with the PGA Tour. While some progress has been made, the six-time major champion admitted on Friday that the rivalry between the two golfing circuits is far from over.

Speaking on "Fox & Friends" ahead of LIV Golf's first U.S.-based tournament of the year, Mickelson highlighted how the Saudi-backed league offers something the PGA Tour struggles to deliver. "We’re about growing the game globally, and the PGA Tour has always been about growing the game nationally," Mickelson said. He added that while LIV Golf faces criticism in the United States, its reception on the global stage has been "incredible."

Launched in 2022, LIV Golf disrupted the sport by luring top talents away from the PGA Tour with eye-watering signing bonuses. It's safe to say that feathers were ruffled. A framework agreement signed in June 2023 between the PGA Tour, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the DP World Tour hinted at reconciliation. However, the deal expired at the end of the year without a resolution.

And guess who’s throwing his hat into the ring? None other than former President Donald Trump. Trump expressed optimism about uniting the two tours, saying, "Ultimately, hopefully, the two tours are going to merge. That’ll be good. I’m involved in that too." He called a potential merger "a great thing," though details remain murky.

Mickelson, ever the LIV advocate, emphasized how the league is shaking up traditional golf. "LIV is appealing to a younger crowd and making golf cool again," he said, describing a relaxed, enjoyable vibe at LIV events. This fresh energy, according to Mickelson, fills a "need and demand" in the world of golf.

While there’s talk of a merger, the PGA Tour reportedly turned down a $1.5 billion investment proposal from the PIF. According to ESPN, the deal was rejected on Friday, signaling that the road to coexistence between the two tours remains bumpy.

What’s clear is that the world of golf is at a crossroads. Whether the PGA Tour and LIV Golf find a way to coexist or continue their tug-of-war, Mickelson’s unwavering optimism about LIV's role in the sport is certainly making waves.