Phil Mickelson did not want to “detract” from the LIV Golf’s Team Championship at Miami at Trump National Doral. However, a recent interview by Rory McIlroy with The Guardian was just too juicy to ignore.
Mickelson praised McIlroy at a press conference prior to the season’s finale of the upstart circuit. He said that the “us versus them” dynamic between LIV golf and players on PGA and DP World tours had gotten outof control.
“You know, Rory is a person I admire a lot. I have the greatest respect for him. I see his achievements in the game, how he played this year, his win last week and his No. Mickelson said Mickelson: “He is the No. 1 player in the world right now, and I have a lot of respect for him.” We’ll be able to discuss things over the next three months, but this week there is something that I can’t help but focus on: we have never had a professional team event like this.
McIlroy also objected to Mickelson’s comment that LIV Golf is trending upwards, while the PGA Tour trending downwards. He called that statement “propaganda.”
Mickelson replied, “But just — maybe… I shouldn’t’ have said stuff like this, I don’t think so.” It’s amazing how far LIV Golf came in the past six, seven months. That’s something that I think everyone can agree with.
Greg Norman’s operation is supported financially by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. No expense has been spared. It’s not easy to build a new series of golf courses. LIV has managed to attract some of the most prominent names in golf, including Cameron Smith, Bryson deChambeau, and Dustin Johnson. The problems associated with starting a business are less daunting when you have hundreds of millions to spend. Sports Illustrated reports that LIV Golf spent upwards of $784million in its first year. Another $1 billion was committed for next season, when the series will become a 14-event league.
LIV has hosted seven events so far, four in the United States, one England, one Thailand, and one in Saudi Arabia.
McIlroy said he felt “betrayed” by LIV players putting their Ryder Cup futures at risk. He also noted how Graeme McDowell was able to captain the Europeans 2027, and that the legacies and legacy of Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter are primarily based on the biennial defeat against the Americans.
“A betrayal? As far as I know, we can still qualify for that team. Poulter said that unless we are told otherwise, I am still available to play as much as possible and try to make the team. “It’s clear that my commitment to the Ryder Cup is unwavering. That should never be in doubt. I have always wanted to play Ryder Cups, and I’ve played with as much passion than anyone I’ve ever seen playing a Ryder Cup.
“You know, I don’t know where this comment came from, to be truthful.”
