Phil Mickelson has struggled in the LIV Golf Series and may well step into a non-playing role when his current contract with the league expires following his last difficult spell at the PGA Championship.
Phil Mickelson, who led the exodus of players from PGA Tour has LIVGolfcould soon finds himself no longer playing for the Saudi separatist league. The six-time major winner has been a constant presence on the circuit since pledging his loyalty to the Saudi-backed league ahead of its inaugural event in June 2022.
However, according to at Mickelson biographer, Alan Shipnuck, the 53-year-old’s next contract with the league could see him take on a non-playing captain role. And his latest performance at the PGA Championship, failing to qualify, did little to ease questions about his future.
Mickelson was far from his best at Valhalla Golf Course. He faced it after a first round at five over par and, despite a second round at one under par, he missed the cut at four over par.
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Each team captain, including Mickelson and Bubba Watson, was given a four-year contract by Greg Norman and his associates, as was 2023 individual champion Talor Gooch. According to Shipnuck, players will resume negotiations with league bosses towards the end of 2025, which could potentially see Mickelson and Watson step away from on-course action.
Despite playing in 20 events on the LIV Tour, Mickelson managed just two top-10 finishes, struggling to replicate the form that made him one of golf’s greatest players during his time on the tour of the PGA.
Mickelson has hinted at retiring from golf in recent years, but on one condition. The American star is just one step away from winning the career Grand Slam, and that step is the US Open – the only major championship he has yet to win.
If Mickelson achieves this coveted victory, it would also mark the end of his playing career, as he told Golf Digest in February 2022. “If I win the US Open, I will retire,” he said. -he declares.
“This would be my last tournament. I will have achieved the Grand Slam in my career and I will have nothing more to prove.”
Watson, a two-time Masters winner, faced similar difficulties. In his first full campaign in the Saudi-backed series, RangeGoats captain Watson only reached the top 10 once, with his best LIV performance coming in Tulsa last May.
The former green jacket winner has already spoken about his future on the circuit, having failed to find his best form. At last season’s LIV Greenbrier event, Watson admitted his willingness to take on a non-playing role with the RangeGoats if that’s what his team wanted.
He said: “I told my team that if they don’t think I’m good enough to play, they can kick me out and we’ll put another good golfer in my place.
“I’m going to play until they kick me out. I love helping young people. They’re all trying to be better and better at golf. I’m lucky enough to influence three golfers in life, they are all parents and young dads. I want to be there for them and if they have a problem, I want to be able to help them.”
