LIV Golf: Phil Mickelson’s assertion that LIV Golf is growing while the PGA Tour is declining has been refuted by Jon Rahm.
Prior to the CJ Cup in South Carolina, the world’s fifth-ranked golfer was questioned about Mickelson’s remarks.
Even though I adore Phil, I have no idea what he is talking about. I have no idea why he said that. There have been some changes, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the situation is becoming worse, he added.
“Right. I have no idea why he said that. I’m not sure. I truly. Really, I have no idea.
Six-time major winner Mickelson was one of the first players to migrate from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf Invitational Series, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s PIF and offers prize incentives that are far more than anything else offered in the professional game worldwide.
Prior to the LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament in Jeddah, the 51-year-old lauded the Saudis’ support for golf after previously admitting they were “dangerous m************” to get engaged with and had threatened the launch of the breakaway circuit, prompting a public apology.
At a news conference held at Royal Greens Country Club, Mickelson said, “The game of golf is incredibly happy to have the PIF invest in the game.” Billions of dollars have now been invested in the golfing industry. The chance to expand internationally and make golf a genuinely global sport is also very advantageous for the game “added he.
“Now, the US and the UK are not in favour of this, but LIV Golf is adored everywhere else in the world. And gradually, they will change their minds and accept it.
“The United States and the UK, where it’s currently viewed very negatively, that’s been changing and evolving already, and in time, in a few years, it will not only be accepted but appreciated [because of] the involvement and the influx of capital into this sport and what it’s doing,” the author said.
LIV Tour athletes joining the Ryder Cup team can cause discord
Sergio Garcia remarked last week that he doesn’t feel welcome in Team Europe and that it appears unlikely that he will play in the Ryder Cup the following year.
When questioned about Garcia’s remarks, Rahm called it a “unique circumstance.”
“Once you get there and are in that team environment, it’s a rare situation where everyone can be completely honest with teammates who they might not normally be. You must thus have an inviting atmosphere, right?
“It’s just not going to work out if there is some hostility between the guys. I am aware that very few teams with discordant members can be successful. I’m not sure if you can actually make that happen, then.
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