By Henry Sacks ‘26 Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters Champion, two-time PGA Champion and one-time Open Championship winner, became one of the first famous golfers to join with LIV Golf. A once-loyal member of the PGA Tour, Mickelson has won over 30 PGA events in his accomplished career. Nevertheless, he was one of the few prominent golfers debuting at the first LIV Tour, where he signed a lucrative $200 million contract. Also referred to as the Saudi Golf League, the LIV Tour held its inaugural event this year in London, England. Compared to the PGA Tour, the LIV Tour offers golfers various appealing attributes such as higher pay, less commitment and more time to be with family.
Since LIV members are additionally permitted to participate in other major tournaments, top golfers quickly jumped at the opportunity to sign on to the tour. “The reason why I am so high on LIV Golf is it addresses the two areas that for the 30 years I have played the [PGA] Tour, they have tried and struggled,” said Mickelson. Freshman Josh Berelowitz said, “It is really unfortunate that Mickelson has played such a big role in the LIV Tour. I have lost some of my respect for him.” Mickelson elaborates that he felt LIV Golf has an opportunity to grow the game of golf on a global level, additionally believing that LIV Golf is utilizing its new, updated schedules and game formats to more effectively target a younger generation of viewers. Drama arose when it became clear that Mickelson was actively attempting to recruit fellow players to join LIV Golf. As a result, PGA promptly suspended Mickelson for two years, essentially eliminating any possibility of him rejoining. Since Mickelson, more top golfers, such as Cameron Smith, have left PGA in favor of the LIV Tour. "The biggest thing for me joining is [LIV's] schedule is really appealing," said Smith, who recently won the 2022 Open Championship and Players Championship. "I will be able to spend more time at home in Australia and maybe have an event down there, as well. I have not been able to do that, and to get that part of my life back was really appealing." However, Smith’s good friend and fellow golfer Billy Horschel has notably been frustrated with some golfers, who he considers hypocrites. Horschel has become a vocal PGA supporter and defender, criticizing golfers for following the majority and joining the LIV Tour. Horschel released a statement saying, "I am one of 200-plus members of the PGA Tour. I am the PGA Tour, just as 200 other members are the PGA Tour, so when you take shots at the PGA Tour and Jay Monahan (commissioner of PGA Tour), you are not just taking shots at them, you are taking shots at us." "The competition and controversy between the PGA and LIV Tours only give fans a sense of uncertainty regarding what could happen in the golf world as time progresses," said freshman Brandon Schall. In response to the LIV Tour's rapidly increasing popularity, the PGA opted to adjust some aspects of the association in late June of 2022, increasing the purses of major events and tournaments to at least $20 million. Comments are closed.
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EditorsArielle Karni Archives
December 2024
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