Jack Nicklaus’ comments on Phil Mickelson will be tough for LIV Golf to take.

Jack Nicklaus spoke about Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods at the first day of the Masters but LIV Golf won’t like what they heard from the 18-time major champion.

Jack Nicklaus admitted he’s not been following too much LIV Golf. It comes as Jason Day forced into another Masters outfit change as Augusta bosses take action.

The 18-time major winner and six-time Masters champion spoke to the media after getting proceedings underway alongside Tom Watson and Gary Player on Thursday morning. Nicklaus was asked if he was surprised to see Mickelson, 54, still competing at Augusta National while Tiger Woods, 49, is sidelined with yet another injury as health concerns mount around him.

As well as saying he doesn’t think Woods will be an honorary starter anytime soon, he confessed to having no idea how much Mickelson plays on the Saudi-backed circuit. For reference, Mickelson played in every LIV event last year and has competed in all four this year so far. But Nicklaus being oblivious to that fact won’t be music to LIV Golf’s ears. Meanwhile, a Masters coach swiftly removed from driving range for breaking rule.

“I don’t know what level Phil is competing at,” he said frankly. “I guess he’s still playing. He’s playing the LIV Tour, is he? I don’t know if he’s playing or not. I don’t know, you never see that anymore.”

He added: “I think Phil has been competitive in an odd event here and there but not really in the last few years. You know, Phil has been a good player. There’s no question about that. There’s no question he’s been a good player.”

Nicklaus was then asked directly about LIV Golf. The 85-year-old confessed that after a rocky start, the PGA Tour seems to have recovered and is fairing well.

“Well, I think the LIV pushed the PGA Tour into doing some things that were a little premature for the PGA Tour. But the PGA Tour is doing fine. I think they’ve changed their structure. The players now own a piece of what’s going on. I think their plan of bringing along with their elevated events and their plan of bringing young players along in the other tournaments has been very successful. We’re making new stars for the game.

“Would I love to see them all come together? Sure, I think we all would. But I think the PGA Tour is the Tour, and that’s where most of your good players are, and I think it’s very healthy no matter which way it goes, but obviously we’d all like to see everybody together.”

Player sat beside Nicklaus and also said he wanted to see a resolution sooner rather than later. “Well, first of all, I think anytime in life, and getting closer to 90 now, you realize that confrontation is a terrible thing. Confrontation and forgiveness is very important,” he said.

“All I can say is, they made their decision, and that’s up to them. We’re fortunate to still have the freedom to choose. That’s their tour, and we have ours.

I’m proud to be part of the PGA. I’ve served as president of the PGA in South Africa and competed in PGAs worldwide. It would be great if everyone could come together. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but ideally, unity would be the best outcome.”