Phil Mickelson recently shared candid thoughts regarding his mental state while competing on the PGA Tour compared to his time on LIV Golf. The veteran golfer revealed that attending PGA Tour events caused him anxiety, often leading to late arrivals. In contrast, Mickelson praised LIV Golf for providing a much more positive environment that eased his stress and improved his overall experience.
During a press conference, Mickelson explained how anxiety affected his participation in PGA Tour events.
“I would just say that I used to have anxiousness going to a (PGA) Tour event with all the details and things that would go on. I would be anxious and not want to go. I’d go as late as I could.”
He credited LIV Golf, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, with providing a far better atmosphere for players like himself.
“At a LIV event, I can’t wait to get here. I come earlier. I can’t wait to get here. The experience from a player’s standpoint, it’s better than I could have ever imagined.”
This statement was shared recently on X by Flushing It Golf.
Phil Mickelson’s Shift from PGA Tour to LIV Golf and Related Controversies
Once a dominant figure on the PGA Tour, Mickelson decided to skip several key tournaments in 2022, including the Masters and PGA Championship, despite winning the latter in 2021. He cited a desire to focus more on his family as the reason behind his absence. However, just days later, on June 6, 2022, LIV Golf’s then-CEO Greg Norman announced Mickelson’s participation in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series starting June 9.
Following his debut at the LIV Golf Invitational in London, Mickelson and sixteen other professional players, both current and former PGA Tour members, were banned by the PGA Tour. Mickelson has since been an outspoken critic of the Tour, frequently challenging its policies and decisions.
Responding to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s Defense of the Tour
In May 2025, controversy erupted after Rory McIlroy faced backlash for skipping the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield. Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan defended McIlroy by emphasizing that the PGA Tour’s structure allows players to choose their schedules. Mickelson responded sharply, openly questioning the foundations of the Tour’s competitive model.
““The beauty of our model” … It’s why the pga tour won’t ever be able to move throughout the world, why sponsors don’t know what they are buying, why fans haven’t seen all best compete against each other consistently for decades, and why no other sport successfully uses this model.”
Mickelson’s remarks reflect ongoing frustration with the Tour’s operations and management, including criticism directed at Monahan on multiple occasions.
The Broader Impact of Mickelson’s Criticism on the Golf Landscape
Phil Mickelson’s public dissatisfaction with the PGA Tour highlights tensions within professional golf as LIV Golf challenges the traditional organization. His comments underscore ongoing debates about player welfare, scheduling, and the global reach of competitive golf. Moving forward, these divisions may influence how sponsors, fans, and players navigate the evolving professional golf environment, particularly regarding participation and governance.