Phil Mickelson has raised questions about the PGA Tour future with LIV Golf by proposing a scenario where LIV Golf expands its tournaments significantly. Recently, Mickelson asked fans on X whether the PGA Tour could survive if LIV Golf began hosting more events, including two shotgun starts per day with larger player fields, potentially reshaping the professional golf landscape.

Mickelson’s hypothetical envisions LIV Golf increasing to 35 events annually, each featuring 120 players competing through two separate shotgun starts daily—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This would maintain the original tournament format while increasing competitiveness and player participation. However, such growth prompts questions about the source of additional players and the impact on the established PGA Tour.

In Mickelson’s own words on X:

“Here’s a random Monday morning ‘hypothetical’ question. What if LIV went to a 35-event, full 120-person field, dual shotgun start(morning and afternoon), and the current LIV events were the ‘elevated’ events within the schedule? Where would those additional players come from, and what would happen to the PGA Tour then?” —Phil Mickelson, Golfer

Phil Mickelson, who recently played at the LIV Golf Andalucía at Real Club Valderrama, finished tied for 23rd place. His rounds of +1, +1, and even par over three days left him two over par overall, 10 strokes behind winner Talor Gooch, who completed the tournament at 8 under par. The challenging course posed significant difficulties for competitors, emphasizing the high level of play required in LIV Golf events.

Phil Mickelson’s Focus on Qualifying for the 2026 US Open

As one of golf’s all-time greats, Mickelson is pursuing the goal of completing his career grand slam. While he missed the cut at this year’s US Open, speculation about his retirement has surfaced. Yet, Mickelson recently clarified his intentions, emphasizing his determination to continue competing and improving his game.

During an appearance on Athlon Sports, Mickelson explained his plans to play in future major events with the aim of qualifying for the 2026 US Open through consistent performance. He said:

“I don’t want to say it’s my last. I actually think I’m playing well enough that if I can play at the level I’ve played at out here in majors again, I’ll finish high enough to get into a U.S. Open via that qualifying avenue. So I don’t want to say that it is my last because I think I’m going to contend in the — I’m in the other three majors for a lot of years, and it could very well get me into the U.S. Open again.” —Phil Mickelson, Golfer

The 154th edition of the US Open will be hosted at Shinnecock Hills in 2026, presenting Mickelson with an opportunity to add another major victory to his illustrious career.

Potential Impact of LIV Golf’s Expansion on the PGA Tour

Mickelson’s hypothetical scenario highlights a possible turning point for the PGA Tour as LIV Golf contemplates expanding its schedule and increasing player participation through dual shotguns. If LIV Golf successfully hosts more events featuring larger fields, the traditional PGA Tour may need to adapt to maintain its relevance and competitive strength.

The influx of players into LIV Golf’s tournaments could affect how talent is distributed across professional golf, potentially creating new challenges for player recruitment and scheduling within the PGA Tour framework. How the PGA responds to this evolving competition could reshape the sport’s dynamics in the coming years.