Phil Mickelson's merger stance clear after PGA Tour rival offers olive branch

Wyndham Clark believes determination is inactive a spot for 45-time victor Phil Mickelson connected the PGA Tour erstwhile an statement is yet made with their Saudi rivals astatine LIV Golf

Phil Mickelson appears to person nary plans to marque a instrumentality to the PGA Tour contempt being welcomed backmost by a chap large champion successful Wyndham Clark.

Mickelson led an exodus of large names to the breakaway league successful 2022, and appeared to cut each ties with the PGA Tour having spent implicit 30 years of his vocation competing connected the American-based circuit. Last June nevertheless a way backmost came to light, aft the Tour announced a model statement with LIV backers the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

Over 16 months connected from the archetypal statement announcement, a woody is yet to beryllium finalised betwixt the 2 sides, but erstwhile it is, it is expected that the bans handed to Mickelson and co from the PGA Tour volition beryllium lifted.

One antheral who opted to crook down a LIV connection to stay with the Tour is Clark, and whilst helium believes not each LIV subordinate is deserving of a PGA Tour place, a prime radical - including Mickelson - are. "I deliberation it depends connected who it is,” helium told the No Laying Up Podcast astatine the anticipation of players from the Saudi-backed circuit making a comeback.

"I deliberation guys that person had the vocation wherever they should beryllium lifelong PGA Tour players, I deliberation they merit the close to travel play the PGA Tour. "If Dustin Johnson wants to travel backmost and Phil Mickelson and guys that person won, Brooks [Koepka], who person won majors and are astir apt hallway of famer.

"They merit to play wherever the hellhole they want, due to the fact that they’re truthful good.” Despite the olive subdivision it appears Mickelson is contented arsenic helium is connected the breakaway circuit. Speaking connected the backmost of the quality of a projected 'merger' past year, the seasoned prima admitted helium and his chap LIV members bash not privation a spot backmost connected the PGA Tour.

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"Not a azygous subordinate connected LIV wants to play PGA Tour,” Mickelson said connected X past July. “It would necessitate a nationalist apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout media to disparage each of us. A amended taxable is aboriginal sanctions for the galore players who present travel to LIV.”

Mickelson comments saw him treble down connected his merger stance, having admitted helium sees nary amended script that continuing to play the LIV schedule. "Rather than saying yes oregon no," helium commented. "I cognize that from a subordinate experience, each of the difficulties and challenges and things that instrumentality a batch of excessive vigor and output passim the week person been fixed astatine LIV.

"So the subordinate acquisition present is incredible. I conscionable can’t envision a amended script for maine arsenic a subordinate than playing retired present connected LIV.” During his clip connected the PGA Tour lone his large rival Tiger Woods has earned much prize money, having banked a whopping £74 cardinal ($96,685,635). Mickelson is besides tied-eighth successful the all-time winners database connected Tour, having won 45 events.