Phil Mickelson became the first high-profile star to sign with LIV Golf, but the six-time major champion’s contract expires soon with Tiger Woods suggesting a PGA Tour return may be possible.
Tiger Woods extended an olive branch to golf stars like Phil Mickelson, inviting them to consider returning to the PGA Tour in the near future. Mickelson had initially joined LIV Golf, a potential rival to the PGA Tour, and expressed his commitment to the Saudi-backed league before its inaugural event in June 2022. Since then, Mickelson has been actively participating in the controversial circuit as a six-time major winner.
However, it seems that Mickelson’s playing career may soon come to an end. According to Alan Shipnuck, Mickelson’s biographer, the 53-year-old golfer’s next contract with LIV Golf could potentially be as a non-playing captain. This decision comes as each original team captain was offered a four-year deal.
If Mickelson decides to retire after his contract ends, it will signify a relatively short period of time that he spent playing for LIV Golf. Throughout his participation in 20 LIV circuit events, Mickelson has only managed to achieve two top-10 finishes, struggling to replicate the exceptional performance that established him as one of the greatest players in the sport during his tenure on the PGA Tour.
This week, Woods will be making a comeback as he joins the PGA Tour’s prominent players for the Genesis Invitational. When questioned about the possibility of discarded or disillusioned LIV Golf players making a return to the PGA Tour, Woods declined to completely dismiss the idea.
However, the 15-time major champion, who has been a long-standing rival of Mickelson, acknowledged that the transition back to the PGA Tour could be intricate and complex.
“We are currently exploring various models for the pathways back,” Woods stated. “The specific details and the impact on both the players who have remained and those who have departed, as well as how we can enhance our product moving forward, are still unknown. We are considering a wide range of ideas with varying degrees of feasibility in the short term.”
“Even in the long term, we are uncertain about what the future holds. Rest assured, there are constant discussions and correspondence, both daily and weekly, regarding the direction our tour will take in the coming days.”
As the host of the Genesis Invitational, Woods, a 48-year-old with 82 PGA Tour victories, is preparing to make his comeback to competitive golf. This marks his return to the Tour after his last appearance at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December of last year.
In recent years, Woods has been compelled to participate in a limited number of tournaments due to physical ailments. In the year 2023, he made appearances in only three Tour events. Initially, he played at the Genesis Invitational, but his performance at the Masters was challenging, leading to his withdrawal due to an ankle injury.
Following this setback, Woods had to take a break from the sport for the subsequent eight months to focus on his recovery. Finally, he made his comeback at the Hero World Challenge. As he prepares to compete at Riviera next week, it signifies a fresh chapter in his career, marking his departure from the renowned 27-year partnership with Nike Golf.
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