Phil Mickelson believes things will get a “lot brighter” once the PGA Tour-PIF deal goes through.
Ahead of the LIV Golf Miami event at the Trump Doral Course, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson claimed the sport of golf right now is in a “disruption phase“. The 53-year-old who played a major role in the establishment of LIV Golf, also pointed out that this period will be challenging.
Mickelson’s move to LIV Golf led to many slamming him. A few days ago, Analyst Brandel Chamblee once again took a swipe at him while saying, “he turned his back on the stage that made him“. Despite this, he has continued to support his tour and has once again placed his trust in Yasir Al-Rumayyan‘s vision for the future.
The PIF Governor has been hoping to expand the sport of golf globally. Recently, he met with Tiger Woods and other PGA Tour policy board members to discuss about the future. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan later shared a memo which gave updates regarding this meet.
"I don't know how it's going to end out, exactly, or what it's going to look like. I'm putting my trust in Yasir and where the game is headed more globally... Right now, we are in the disruption phase, so we are in the middle of the process, and when it's all said and done, it's going to be a lot brighter. But while we go through it, it's challenging. But we'll get there." - Phil Mickelson said as per Mark Schlabach of ESPN.Just this week, former World No.1 Rory McIlroy gave a similar response on the current state of the sport. Ahead of the Valero Open this week, the North Irishman claimed the current situation isn’t sustainable and the fighting between the two tours is making people lose interest in golf.
"I just think with the fighting and everything that's went on over the past couple years, people are just getting really fatigued of it and it's turning people off men's professional golf, and that's not a good thing for anyone." - Rory McIlroy said.
Phil Mickelson reveals what he remembers about the 2004 Masters triumph
In his golfing career, Phil Mickelson has accomplished several big feats. He is currently the oldest major championship winner in golf history following his historic triumph at the 2021 PGA Championship. However, one title that will always be special to him is the first one, the 2004 Masters.
During the press conference on Wednesday, the HyFlyers GC captain revealed he always thinks of his grandfather when he recalls his triumph at Augusta National twenty years ago.
"Every time I look back at that moment, I think of my grandfather. Everytime I see me jumping and I see that putt roll in, where it goes round the hole and lips in... I think of my grandfather who passed away January that year and told me that this is gonna be my first major. I'm getting chills thinking about it now cause I think about him everytime when I see that putt and I think he gave the ball a little nudge in." - Phil Mickelson said.
Mickelson would later go on to claim two more green jackets in 2006 and in 2010. His third win was also an emotional one as his wife, Amy Mickelson had been battling cancer a year before that.
The big question now is, can he add a fourth green jacket this year. While form is currently not on his side, he did finish as runner-up last year. Before that, he will be hoping for a strong performance at the LIV Golf Miami event this week.
