Phil Mickelson ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if LIV Golf make major change

Phil Mickelson says he wouldn’t be surprised if LIV Golf switched to a 72-hole format after his 31st Masters appearance.

Phil Mickelson expressed that he would not find it unexpected if LIV Golf decided to switch to a 72-hole format following his participation in the Masters tournament.

Lefty qualified for the 88th Masters tournament but, similar to his longtime rival Tiger Woods, had difficulty during the weekend rounds.

Mickelson, who is 53 years old and has won at Augusta National three times, scored 75, 74, and 74 in addition to his initial score of 73, ending up with a total of eight-over par.

Shortly after his 31st participation in the Masters tournament, Mickelson expressed that he found the challenge enjoyable even though he was not in the running for the top spot.

Mickelson, who came in second place in 2023, admitted that he did not perform well with his short game and made many mistakes there.

“But I had a fun week and a great opportunity to experience this course and this test in a way that we don’t normally see.”

A reporter asked Mickelson if LIV playing 54 holes has affected his performances in the major championships.

“I don’t think it matters either way,” Mickelson said.

He then mentioned that it wouldn’t be shocking if all or some of the LIV events lasted 72 hours. He admitted that he wasn’t certain, but it didn’t bother him. He finds joy in the competition.

Before the tournament started, Jon Rahm, the defending champion, requested that the breakaway tour alter their structure. Mickelson was unsure about the benefit of playing 54 holes at this point in his career, as he views it as more of a sprint than a marathon.

If you perform poorly on the first day, you will fall significantly behind and struggle to catch up.

However, in a 72-hole tournament, you have the opportunity to gradually improve your position, even if you struggle on the initial day. You can fight to maintain a score close to par and then make progress on the leaderboard.

The aforementioned Woods was asked about the future between the PGA Tour and LIV after he finished dead last in the 2024 Masters.

Woods described the recent meeting with LIV mastermind Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas as positive.

“We’re headed in the right direction,” he said.

As for Mickelson, he refused to be drawn into speculation about the future.

He mentioned that others are managing that task and he is not a part of it.

He stated that others are handling the responsibility. Since June 2022, Mickelson has been in the spotlight due to the unique turmoil in men’s golf.

The player who has won six major championships took a break from competing for five months before LIV held their first event. Because of the negative response to his partnership with the Saudis for LIV, he made the choice to not participate in the 2022 Masters.

When he came back to Augusta National last year, it was said that he remained completely silent during Scottie Scheffler’s dinner.

And, according to Sir Nick Faldo, Lefty was quiet again as attendees honoured Rahm.

Faldo, 66, told Sky Sports: “He was dead quiet, standing next to me. I wonder why.”