Phil Mickelson: LIV Golf prepares you for major championships
At 52, Phil Mickelson has come second at the Masters and made cut at the PGA Championship – and he has found the answer for his solid form in golf’s biggest events
Phil Mickelson has certainly turned a few heads with his performances at the Masters and the PGA Championship in 2023.
Despite being a six-time major champion and legend of the sport, many golf fans were blown away by the 52-year-old’s tied runner up finish at Augusta National.
He didn’t quite mirror these heroics at Oak Hill, but nonetheless his game appears in better shape than when returning from a sustained period away from the public eye at the start of 2022.
“I thought I was more prepared than I was,” were his words when missing the cut at last year’s US Open, having played just one LIV event at that point.
So, what’s the secret to Mickelson’s improvement on the biggest stage?
Well, he thinks he’s found the answer.
“Love LIV or hate it, it’s the best way/Tour to be your best in the majors,” Mickelson posted to Twitter on Tuesday.
“Enough events to keep you sharp, fresh and ready, yet not be worn down from too many tournaments or obligations. 14 LIV events, 34 weeks left open to prepare for the 4 majors. Fact.”
Not only is this a ringing endorsement of LIV Golf’s schedule, but it could also be seen as a criticism of the PGA Tour schedule and the number of events each player is expected to play.
Ahead of the start of the current PGA Tour season, it was announced the top players on the circuit were required to play in at least 20 events, including the majors and an extensive list of designated tournaments.
In its first year, LIV hosted just eight events, but this was increased to 14 in 2023 after plans were fast-forwarded from its previous proposal of 10 events in year two.
Mickelson’s praise of LIV’s format is the latest example of his busy activity log on Twitter, which recently featured a post aimed at the USGA for altering its US Open qualification criteria – which left Talor Gooch without a spot in the field at LACC in June.
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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.
