Phil Mickelson impressed in Saudi Arabia (Image: Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson has admitted that he should not be involved in the 2025 Ryder Cup for Team USA because he is ‘a very divisive character’ in golf.
As one of the founding fathers of LIV Golf, the lucrative breakaway organization backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), Mickelson has played a major role in tearing apart the PGA Tour.
Many golfers have since followed, such as Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, while others like Rory McIlroy have remained loyal to the PGA cause and denounced the LIV rebels.
The price he will pay includes denying him further opportunities to be involved with the Ryder Cup, having made 12 appearances and won the trophy on three occasions – in 1999, 2008 and 2016.
His last appearance came back in 2018, and despite being vice-captain for the 2021 team, he fully appreciates that he has no chance of being captain next year.
“I don’t feel I’m the right guy to be involved with the team because I’m a very divisive character right now, if you will, and I understand that,” Mickelson told Pat McAfee.
“The players on the PGA Tour, there’s a lot of hostilities towards me, and I don’t feel I’d be the best leader for them. I knew I was going to take some hits [after going to LIV Golf]. I’m OK with that.
“And as a divisive individual, I don’t think I’m the best unifier going forward for the Ryder Cup and that’s that’s fine because I’ve had so many great memories with it.”.
Phil Mickelson goes from hero to villain
In Mickelson’s case, he has gone from being of the U.S’s most cherished players to the enemy in the eyes of some, but he is willing to live with the criticism after choosing the riches promised by the LIV Tour.
He signed a huge $200 million contract in 2022 just for giving his rights to compete in the PGA Championship. A year on from the launch of the new regime in golf, the 53-year-old believes the future is bright.
“I’m excited about the direction of professional golf,” Mickelson said. “I’m optimistic about the future. I’m optimistic about the growth of LIV and I’m optimistic about the global growth of the game.”
