Phil Mickelson Reacts to Rory McIlroy's Relaxed Stance on LIV Golf: 'It's Time to Let Go of Our Hostilities'
Phil Mickelson is exuding a different tone as the "framework agreement" talks have extended past the Dec. 31 deadline and Rory McIlroy has made strong comments in which he said he was “too judgmental" of those players who went to LIV Golf and now accepts it as part of the game.
Mickelson and McIlroy have been two of the loudest voices on opposite sides of the golf war that has waged for some two years now, with Mickelson being highly critical of the PGA Tour and becoming one of the first players to sign with the controversial venture in 2022.
But after McIlroy’s comments that were released on Wednesday as part of a “Stick to Football" podcast, Mickelson, 53, went on social media to ask that the rhetoric be toned down.
"This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say," said Mickelson in an X (formerly Twitter) post. "Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, it’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future.
"(Jon) Rahm’s signing is turning into a bridge to bring both sides together, as evidenced by the many comments today and a month ago about changing the rules for the Ryder Cup so Jon and others can play, so let’s use it as such.
"Until an agreement is reached it will be business as usual for both sides but hopefully without the needless disdain."
Phil Mickelson has called for patience as negotiations continue between the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
Sam Navarro/USA TODAY Sports
On Sunday, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sent a last-hour memo to players saying that negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia—which backs LIV Golf—were ongoing as the Tour also seeks to come to a deal with a private investment company called Strategic Sports Group.
That investment along with the PIF would help form the basis of PGA Tour Enterprises, a new company separate from what we know as the PGA Tour and its ongoing tournament schedule that begins this week at Kapalua in Hawaii.
The "framework agreement" announced on June 6 between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the PIF had a Dec. 31 deadline, one that was seemingly unreachable in recent weeks.
A lack of a deal led to some consternation about the ongoing golf feud continuing into 2024 and possibly impacting how things might look in 2025. Last week, Mickelson attempted to be the voice of reason there as well.
"When it is all said and done, the average fans will see all the best players compete against each other way more often than before AND throughout the world," Mickelson said in a Dec. 29 post. "Sponsors will know what it is they are buying and everyone will end up ahead. Let’s all be patient."
In the hour-long interview that Mickelson referenced, McIlroy said that LIV Golf has "exposed flaws in the system" and shown that sponsors are being asked to spend millions without a guarantee of who will be there.
"I can’t believe the PGA Tour has done so well for so long," McIlroy said. "It’s exposed some flaws in the system that hopefully golf will have a look at more. If we’re going to ask these people for so much money, we need to be able to guarantee them what they’re getting."
Mickelson, a six-time major winner who in 2021 at age 50 became the oldest major champion when he captured the PGA Championship, has long advocated a shorter schedule with top players being compensated more.
His belief has been that fewer tournaments will mean the best players are competing against each other more often.
At part of LIV Golf, Mickelson is captain of one of the 12 teams. LIV Golf’s schedule begins Feb. 2 in Mexico.