‘I need to let go’: Phil Mickelson wants peace in LIV-PGA Tour feud, but questions merger

Looking at public statements alone, we are no closer to a final deal between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s financiers than we were a year ago. But Phil Mickelson, LIV’s most high-profile star, isn’t sure an official peace contract is necessary.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Mickelson was asked if a PGA Tour-LIV “merger” was necessary for the future of the game, and he responded with a qualified no. He used 2024 U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau as an example.

“I don’t know if it’s necessary. I know that a few years ago it was not an option to have elevated events,” Mickelson told Bloomberg. “It was not an option for players to have equity. And it wasn’t an option for players to transcend social media markets and create YouTube channels and have their own social media posts the way Bryson [DeChambeau] has done. And the way Bryson has brought golf and this cool, hip vibe to so many people on YouTube. That wasn’t an option. So until LIV happened, none of that was going to happen. Now because of LIV those are all happening.”

Essentially, the crux of Mickelson’s argument is that all of the benefits of a merger have already been gained from last year’s Framework Agreement. He even claimed that both the PGA Tour and LIV have improved as a result of the détente, which is questionable when you consider viewership numbers on both tours.

“The competition that both tours are providing is elevating both tours,” Mickelson argued. “So is it necessary that there’s a merger? Probably not. But it would be a good thing if there wasn’t any hostility.”

As for that hostility, Mickelson pointed the finger at himself, saying that he needs to get over his own anger from the yearslong pro-golf feud, as does everyone else, for the golf world to move on and prosper.”

Essentially, the crux of Mickelson’s argument is that all of the benefits of a merger have already been gained from last year’s Framework Agreement. He even claimed that both the PGA Tour and LIV have improved as a result of the détente, which is questionable when you consider viewership numbers on both tours.

“The competition that both tours are providing is elevating both tours,” Mickelson argued. “So is it necessary that there’s a merger? Probably not. But it would be a good thing if there wasn’t any hostility.”

As for that hostility, Mickelson pointed the finger at himself, saying that he needs to get over his own anger from the yearslong pro-golf feud, as does everyone else, for the golf world to move on and prosper.”