Phil Mickelson Reacts to LIV Golf’s World Ranking Points Denial: ‘It’s a Monopoly’

Mickelson took to social media to make some pointed claims about the PGA Tour and the Official World Golf Ranking’s latest decision.

Phil Mickelson has spoken out about the Official World Golf Ranking denying LIV Golf ranking points. A number of LIV members have expressed their frustration with the decision—including Bryson DeChambeau—and Mickelson took to social media to share his own thoughts.

Mickelson made his comments on X (formerly Twitter) in reply to a fellow Masters champion, Trevor Immelman, whose original post read: “If I were going to start a pro golf tour, and I decided that I wanted my tour to have world ranking points available for the players, I’d probably at the outset make sure that my tour did whatever the world ranking organization required in order to comply.” 

Mickelson responded by calling the OWGR a “monopoly” and claiming that the decision on LIV Golf was not motivated by the league’s format, but rather the PGA Tour’s desire to hit the benchmarks in their TV contracts. 

Here are Mickelson’s full comments: 

Trevor, LIV was NEVER going to get points. Why? 1)it’s a monopoly run by all the governing bodies 2) the PGA Tour tv contract is based on owgr criteria for them to get all their money 3) they would lose leverage in negotiations if LIV got points4) last but not least, Tour has…

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 12, 2023

According to more replies from the LIV golfer, Mickelson also believes that the four major championships are “protecting themselves” from players demanding higher revenue percentages at the lucrative tournaments in the future. 

When one commenter asked if LIV Golf’s 54-hole no-cut format led to the OWGR’s decision, Mickelson wrote: “Nope. That’s just their public excuse so they can protect each. A lot of people believe it too. Can’t blame them though cuz people like you simply don’t have all the facts. That’s why I’m sharing them with you now. You’re welcome.”

I see I must go step by step to show how majors are protecting themselves
Owgr points given
THEN more and more players go to LIV
THEN, ultimately,all the best players are at LIV
LIV controls all the best players schedules
LIV has leadership with players best interests at…

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 12, 2023

So it’s nothing to do with the fact that you play 54 holes with no cut? No eligibility, no points. Simple as that

— Ben Johnston (@benj0hnston) October 12, 2023

This is not the first time Mickelson has openly criticized the Official World Ranking, and it doesn’t look like it will be the last. In another comment, Mickelson responded to a user who told him to “stop whining” and he made that abundantly clear: “Stating facts isn’t whining and I don’t care if LIV ever gets points. This is move 6 in a long game of chess. You won’t believe moves 32-37. That’s when it gets REALLY good.” 

Stating facts isn’t whining and I don’t care if LIV ever gets points. This is move 6 in a long game of chess. You won’t believe moves 32-37. That’s when it gets REALLY good. 😎

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 12, 2023

LIV’s final regular-season event will be played this weekend in Jeddah, from Oct. 13-15.