Dropped LIV Golf star delivers telling verdict on his former captain Phil Mickelson

James Piot was one of four LIV Golf stars relegated from the breakaway league last month, and the youngster has opened up on what it was like to work alongside Phil Mickelson.

Former LIV Golf star James Piot has hailed the impact of his HyFlyers captain Phil Mickelson, despite his time with the breakaway league coming to an end last month.

Piot was relegated from the LIV setup alongside Chase Koepka, Sihwan Kim and Jediah Morgan following the end of the 2023 campaign in Jeddah. The former U.S. Amateur champion worked alongside LIV poster boy Mickelson, as well as fellow Americans Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele as part of the HyFlyers.

On an individual front, it proved to be a tough year for the 25-year-old which of course ended in relegation, but despite his struggles, Piot only had kind words for his six-time major-winning captain.

“Phil was great to me last year, anything that I had a question about he was always happy to help and give me advice,” Piot said whilst competing at the BNI Indonesian Masters on the Asian Tour’s International Series. “Even when I was sitting there hitting balls he was like ‘hey man have you ever thought about this?

“And stuff like that which is over and beyond what I expected out of him.” In 13 LIV events in 2023 Piot failed to break into the top 20, with his best performance coming at LIV Greenbrier in August where he finished in 22nd. The American’s time with the LIV setup came to an end after competing in the breakaway league’s opening two seasons in 2022 and 2023.

The former U.S. Amateur champion made the decision to join the Saudi-backed series in his first year as a professional, and on the back of his relegation had nothing but kind words for Greg Norman and co. “Obviously LIV is world class; no one treats you better than the LIV Golf League,” he said.

Despite the relegation, Piot has a chance to return to LIV in 2024 after the first school he qualified for. The LIV Golf Promotion will be held over his three days in December, with the top three finishers after 72 holes qualifying for next year’s breakaway round. Piot is hoping to finish in the top three.

He added: “It was amazing how well they treated the players and how much they enjoyed the tour, so of course I would love to go back there again.” The second return route is via the Asian Tour’s International Series, with Andy Ogletree using the pass this time.

He welcomed the opportunity given to the participants and commented: “Obviously, the Asia Tour is phenomenal. The event is going well.” You get to see the world, you get to go to some cool places so I’ve loved it being out here and on top of it the competition level is top class, so having that ability to earn your way to LIV through the Asian Tour is a fantastic opportunity for all guys out there.”