Phil Mickelson lashes out again in LIV Golf-OWGR row – but is he right?
Lefty’s been active on social media in recent days as the lack of ranking points for LIV players continues to make headlines. Matt Chivers and Alex Perry have some thoughts
Phil Mickelson has sparked yet another debate concerning LIV Golf and the Official World Golf Rankings.
The six-time major champion claimed on Twitter it would “hurt the PGA Tour’s revenue from CBS” if the OWGR recognised LIV Golf as a legitimate golf tour. He also believes there is back-door “collusion” benefitting PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and the amount of “TV money” the circuit receives.
According to Mickelson, the lead names of the OWGR have done “everything in their power to shut LIV down by any and all means”. Greg Norman’s breakaway tour is still unranked and, while its application for points is still under review, certain requirements must be met, such as the LIV Promotions Event which will take place later in 2023.
LIV players continue to fall down the rankings with major championships the only realistic route for some of its roster to salvage points on the world leaderboard.
Bold claims indeed from Mickelson – but are they warranted and do they hold credence? We discussed it in the latest episode of The Slam podcast…
‘OWGR should be run by an independent body’
Phil Mickelson has certainly become more active on social media when it comes to LIV Golf and PGA Tour matters, says Matt Chivers.
He claims in the long thread of tweets that the OWGR favours the PGA Tour and Jay Monahan, but when you consider the make-up of the OWGR board membership, is that the case?
The major championships are all represented on the board and they have accepted LIV players in their tournaments, and will let them play for as long as they have exemptions.
You would think, although Monahan and Keith Pelley sit on the board, their interest in the restriction of LIV Golf wouldn’t override any decision-making that takes place.
However, to remove the risk of PGA/DP World Tour favouritism, it would certainly be an idea to privatise the OWGR and turn it into a separate body.
‘You can’t buy the right to OWGR points’
Phil Mickelson’s comments which stated he “doesn’t care about OWGR points” as well as not needing them stand out the most to me, says Alex Perry.
I am surprised Mickelson is so vocal about the OWGR issue when he admits he is exempt for three out of the four majors for over 10 years.
So it feels to me like it’s less about his desire for, say, Dean Burmester to move up the world rankings and more a continuation of his ongoing spat with the PGA Tour. He has added fuel to this fire a few times now and this is another example, rather than being genuinely concerned for his LIV peers who tumble down the rankings.
The bottom line is LIV doesn’t meet the requirements to form a legitimate golf tour yet, despite owning some of the best golfers in the world.
If I was a billionaire and I paid 10 of the world’s best players $100 million each to play an exhibition match against each other round my local goat track, would I be able to claim they should receive world ranking points? Because that’s what the LIV lot are arguing.
It’s time they got real. Meet the criteria and you’re in. It’s as simple as that.
Listen to more on the OWGR-LIV Golf row on The Slam
We discuss this and much more on the latest episode of The Slam, a National Club Golfer podcast in association with Callaway. Listen in the player below, or click the button to head straight to your preferred podcast platform.
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
