Phil Mickelson Suggested PGA Tour Changes Before Joining LIV Golf Series

Phil Mickelson has recently revealed the controversial changes made by the PGA Tour were actually suggested by him, before he made the move to the LIV Golf Series.^[0] Mickelson is currently leading the Hy Flyers team at the Gallery this week and has spoken about the impact of LIV on the game.^[1]

The US Circuit has been going through a series of major changes ever since LIV Golf was introduced, with the most recent being the push of several designated events in the upcoming 2024 schedule.^[2] This has caused a ton of innovation at the PGA Tour, with the media landscape mirroring the world of today.^[2]

In a tweet, Mickelson noted that he had suggested the same changes to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan a year ago, only to be denied.^[3] He said, “I would like to say that I had a direct impact on it. It really wasn’t. We’ve tried to nail down some markets that have always wanted and supported professional golf, and Tucson has supported professional golf, and then it got taken away.”^[4]

Rory McIlroy recently admitted that LIV Golf has benefitted every professional golfer, saying “I’m not going to sit here and lie; I think the emergence of LIV or the emergence of a competitor to the PGA Tour has benefited everyone that plays elite professional golf.”^[5]

Speaking about the changes, Mickelson said, “I think there will always be a need and a want for traditional golf. And there’s always an opportunity to innovate and to allow LIV to be additive and create something new and different. They want to know what they are buying, and those are all things that LIV have provided for their sponsors and television and so forth. I think it’s a good model to follow, and I’m glad that they are.”^[6]

Mickelson also spoke about his love for the state of Arizona, saying “I really do enjoy the state of Arizona.”^[4] The 52-year-old has won seven of his 57 career wins in Arizona, and is looking forward to another good outing this week.^[7]

0. “Phil Mickelson had this funny response when asked if PGA Tour's changes were forced by LIV” GolfDigest.com, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.golfdigest.com/story/phil-mickelson-liv-golf-pga-tour-schedule-event-changes

1. “Phil Mickelson: LIV Golf could U-turn to satisfy OWGR” National Club Golfer, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/news/phil-mickelson-liv-golf-owgr/

2. ““No vote, no discussion” – Phil Mickelson claims PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan was originally against elevated events” Sportskeeda, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.sportskeeda.com/golf/news-no-vote-discussion-phil-mickelson-claims-pga-tour-commissioner-jay-monahan-originally-elevated-events

3. “Phil Mickelson claims PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan shutdown his own $1bn elevated events idea” Daily Mail, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/article-11833087/Phil-Mickelson-claims-PGA-Tour-commissioner-Jay-Monahan-shutdown-1bn-elevated-events-idea.html

4. “Phil Mickelson in Arizona usually means good things” LIV Golf, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.livgolf.com/news/mickelsons-back-in-arizona-and-that-usually-means-good-things

5. “PGA Tour boss says no cut revamp ‘not like' LIV Golf as Phil Mickelson drops $1bn bombshell” Golfmagic.com, 8 Mar. 2023, https://www.golfmagic.com/pga-tour/pga-tour-boss-insists-no-cuts-not-liv-mickelson-drops-huge-bombshell

6. “Why Phil Mickelson says LIV is ‘good model' for PGA Tour to follow | D'Angelo” Palm Beach Post, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/2023/03/15/phil-mickelson-says-liv-is-good-model-for-pga-tour-players-interests/70011226007

7. ““World-class golf” – Phil Mickelson says he is ‘really proud’ to return to Arizona with LIV Golf” Sportskeeda, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.sportskeeda.com/golf/news-world-class-golf-phil-mickelson-says-really-proud-return-arizona-liv-golf