LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour: Best Players Will Be Split Among 2 Leagues, Phil Mickelson Says

It's been four months since the LIV Golf Invitational Series had its first event and Phil Mickelson is standing behind his decision to leave the PGA Tour. Despite all of the backlash that he's received, LIV Golf's biggest name believes the future is bright for the Saudi-backed league.

"I firmly believe that I'm on the winning side of how things are going to evolve and shape in the coming years for professional golf," Mickelson said at a press conference Thursday before LIV Golf's event in Saudi Arabia. "I love the way they involve us and listen to us in decisions. I mean it's so inclusive, it's so fluid that things, LIV Golf is leading. Whether it's shorts, whether it's other aspects of professional golf that are going to change and evolve, those positions will be led by LIV."

Mickelson led the way for some of the world's top players to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Since his departure, some of the best golfers in the world have followed suit.

Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau were among the PGA Tour stars that played for LIV Golf in the summer. The new league arguably made its biggest signing in terms of talent when it landed Cameron Smith. The 2022 British Open champion is second in the world golf rankings and finished the year playing as well as anyone on the PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour has indefinitely suspended all of its players that left to compete with LIV Golf. Several LIV Golf players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour.
The idea that players might be able to compete for both leagues doesn't seem like it could happen anytime soon.

"There were a lot of opportunities that were left open for somebody to come in and do this," Mickelson told reporters. "I think that, as I said earlier, for a long, long time, my 30 years on the PGA Tour, pretty much all the best players played on the PGA Tour, at least for the last 20 years. That will never be the case again. I think going forward you have to pick a side. You have to pick what side do you think is going to be successful."

Most of the world's top players are still with the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have made it clear that they aren't going anywhere. The PGA Tour includes a level of tradition and competition that players can't experience with LIV Golf.

Money is the most attractive option of signing with LIV Golf. In addition to smaller 48-player fields and more lucrative prize money, LIV Golf reportedly pays its top stars guaranteed nine-figure contracts. Mickelson is believed to be making around $200 million.

"I see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the PGA Tour trending downwards," Mickelson said. "I love the side that I'm on. And I love how I feel. I love how I'm reinvigorated and excited to play golf and compete. I love the experience. I love the way they treat us."

LIV Golf's event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Friday through Sunday. LIV Golf Miami will close out the 2022 season at the end of October.