Phil Mickelson follows Tiger Woods by splitting from a long-term partner in 2024.
LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson has confirmed he has parted ways with Callaway Golf having played and endorsed their golf equipment since 2004.
Callaway chose to pause their relationship with Mickelson, 53, immediately after he called the Saudi government ‘scary motherf*****s’ during a conversation with golf biographer Alan Shipnuck in 2022.
Mickelson also said at the time he wanted to use Saudi Arabian money in the game as ‘leverage’ to get things done how he saw fit on the PGA Tour.
But after taking some time out of the game, Mickelson soon left the PGA Tour to join a breakaway LIV Golf League, bankrolled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)
Many consider Mickelson’s controversial comments back then are in some ways coming to fruition in light of the pending framework agreement merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the PIF. A deadline was set for 31 December 2023 but it has now been extended to the end of March 2024, according to multiple reports.
Phil Mickelson no longer sponsored by Callaway in 2024
In a tweet posted on 19 January 2024, two weeks before the start of the 2024 LIV Golf League season, Mickelson confirmed his official split from Callaway.
Mickelson said he has maintained a ‘great relationship with everyone’ at Callaway.
The six-time major champion reaffirmed why, among other things, he is an enormous fan of the company’s new Chrome Tour X golf ball.
Over the years, Mickelson has devoted countless hours to developing a variety of golf equipment products with the Callaway brand, but he has focused especially on the well-liked Chrome ball line.
Less than two weeks have passed since Tiger Woods announced he was leaving Nike after 27 years of marriage.Callaway and Mickelson have split after 20 years of marriage.
“I am no longer sponsored by Callaway Golf but have maintained a great relationship with everyone there,” tweeted Mickelson.
“The new Chrome Tour X ball is the fastest ball off the driver, most spin around the greens,and most consistent aerodynamics of any ball on the market. Trying it can’t hurt and I know you’ll see the same thing.”
Four other brands decided to ditch Mickelson in 2022, including KPMG, Workday, Heineken and Amstel Light.
On LIV Golf, Mickelson leads HyFlyers GC, which also includes new recruit Andy Ogletree in 2024, Brendan Steele, and Cameron Tringale.
It’s estimated that Mickelson signed a $200 million contract with LIV Golf in 2022.
He was the highest paid player on LIV Golf the previous season, but after the Spaniard made an unexpected $450 million move at the end of 2023, Jon Rahm has taken over.
The first week of February sees the start of the first LIV Golf tournament of 2024 in Mayakoba, Mexico.