Phil Mickelson has been offered an olive branch (Image: Getty Images)
Wyndham Clark believes there is still a spot for 45-time winner Phil Mickelson on the PGA Tour when an agreement is finally made with their Saudi rivals at LIV Golf
Phil Mickelson appears to have no plans to make a return to the PGA Tour despite being welcomed back by a fellow major champion in Wyndham Clark.
Mickelson led an exodus of big names to the breakaway league in 2022, and appeared to cut all ties with the PGA Tour having spent over 30 years of his career competing on the American-based circuit. Last June however a route back came to light, after the Tour announced a framework agreement with LIV backers the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
Over 16 months on from the initial agreement announcement, a deal is yet to be finalised between the two sides, but when it is, it is expected that the bans handed to Mickelson and co from the PGA Tour will be lifted.
One man who opted to turn down a LIV offer to remain with the Tour is Clark, and whilst he believes not every LIV player is deserving of a PGA Tour place, a select group – including Mickelson – are. “I think it depends on who it is,” he told the No Laying Up Podcast at the possibility of players from the Saudi-backed circuit making a comeback.
“I think guys that have had the career where they should be lifelong PGA Tour players, I think they deserve the right to come play the PGA Tour. “If Dustin Johnson wants to come back and Phil Mickelson and guys that have won, Brooks [Koepka], who have won majors and are most likely hall of famer.
“They deserve to play wherever the hell they want, because they’re so good.” Despite the olive branch it appears Mickelson is content as he is on the breakaway circuit. Speaking on the back of the news of a proposed ‘merger’ last year, the veteran star admitted he and his fellow LIV members do not want a spot back on the PGA Tour.
“Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour,” Mickelson said on X last July. “It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV.”
Mickelson comments saw him double down on his merger stance, having admitted he sees no better scenario that continuing to play the LIV schedule. “Rather than saying yes or no,” he commented. “I know that from a player experience, all of the difficulties and challenges and things that take a lot of excessive energy and output throughout the week have been fixed at LIV.
“So the player experience here is incredible. I just can’t envision a better scenario for me as a player than playing out here on LIV.” During his time on the PGA Tour only his great rival Tiger Woods has earned more prize money, having banked a whopping £74 million ($96,685,635). Mickelson is also tied-eighth in the all-time winners list on Tour, having won 45 events.
