Golf legend Phil Mickelson is predicting a possible grim future for the four major championships should the sport’s governing bodies continue to prevent LIV Golf players with a pathway into the biggest tournaments of the season.

Mickelson, 53, might be one of 11 LIV Golf players entered into next week’s US PGA, but the six-time major champion believes the number should be much bigger given the strength in depth of players on the Saudi-bankrolled circuit in 2024.

Lefty rewrote the record books at the 2021 US PGA when he became the oldest major champion in history aged 50.

It also marked the second time he had etched his name on the famous Wanamaker Trophy having first done so in 2005.

But back to Mickelson’s latest tweet, which has since been deleted, and LIV Golf’s $200m man is predicting a grim future for the four major championships.

Prior to the start of this month, only nine LIV Golf players were exempt to compete in next week’s US PGA Championship at Valhalla.

But news emerged this afternoon that Talor Gooch and David Puig have both been handed invites, taking LIV Golf up to 11 participants in the second major of the season.

It now remains to be seen if the US PGA decides to invite any more players.

A similar story could play out for both the US Open and The Open, but much will depend on how many LIV Golf players come through the qualifying events.

It is understood approximately 40 LIV Golf players will attempt to come through both US Open and Open qualifying this summer.

Gooch will not be one of them though.

Mickelson’s views came to light when he responded to Flushing It’s post on X / Twitter.

He considers golf’s governing bodies will soon have to act where LIV Golf players are concerned in the majors because sponsors and broadcasters – along with golf fans around the world – will want to see the best of the best competing against each other.

Flushing It tweeted about LIV Golf’s ongoing struggle to get their players entered in the majors as a direct result of their tournaments still being omitted from receiving any Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points in 2024.

Mickelson replied:

“Maybe some LIV players won’t be missed. But what if NONE of the LIV players played? Would they be missed? What about next year when more great players join? Or the following year? At some point they will care and will have to answer to sponsors and television. FAAFO.”

It should be noted FAAFO stands for ‘F*** around and find out’.

As we say, Mickelson has since deleted his hot tweet.

Last week, Lefty dropped a bombshell to the golf world that he may soon retire from the sport.