(Reuters) – Phil Mickelson would step aside from competing on LIV Golf if he cannot play at the level he desires, the six-time major champion said while previewing the Saudi-backed circuit’s upcoming Illinois event.
The 54-year-old Mickelson, who was one of the higher-profile names to join the breakaway circuit in 2022 on a reported $200 million contract, is currently captain of a HyFlyers team in which he also has an equity stake.
Mickelson, speaking during a call ahead of LIV’s Sept. 13-15 Individual Championship at Bollingbrook Golf Club, has one top-20 finish on the rebel circuit this season and also made the cut at two of the four majors in 2024.
“I see glimpses and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level, but I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels,” Mickelson said, according to a transcript of Wednesday’s press conference.
“I’m in every major on the regular tour next year, and I’ll be in three of the four majors for the next six, seven years. I would love to compete and give myself a chance to win in those, and I also want to build this out and create a culture that is sustainable and that people strive to be a part of.
“How I do that, whether it’s internally as a player and so forth, or whether it’s strictly from the outside, I’m going to be intricately involved with the HyFlyers going forward probably the rest of my life, and then my playing career I’ll be realistic where I’m at, too.”
Mickelson was also asked what type of playing schedule he would like to see if the PGA Tour and Saudi backers of LIV Golf ever finalise a deal to merge commercial operations in a new for-profit entity.
“I’m not part of those conversations. At 54, my schedule and my desires are going to be totally different than most of the players,” said Mickelson.
“So bigger picture we have to do what’s best for the players on LIV and the best for the players throughout the game of golf and not just focus on a 54-year-old, so my desires aren’t really relevant, I would say, in that conversation.”
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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