Phil Mickelson: LIV Golf teams wouldn’t want Rory McIlroy’s BS
After Rory McIlroy discussed wanting a longer off-season to prepare for his 2023 campaign at the Memorial Tournament, Phil Mickelson didn’t take kindly to the Northern Irishman’s comments
It would seem Phil Mickelson’s tweet spree knows no boundaries as he’s shown over the weekend of the Memorial Tournament.
The six-time major champion aimed a strong dig at Rory McIlroy, who currently shares the 54-hole lead at Muirfield Village with Si Woo Kim and David Lipsky.
Mickelson replied to a clip on Twitter of the Northern Irishman discussing the off-season, revealing he’d have liked more time off to rest and prepare for the 2023 PGA Tour schedule.
McIlroy’s final appearance on the PGA Tour last year came at the CJ Cup at the end of October, which he won. His next start was the Hero Dubai Desert Classic three months later – which he also won.
Despite wanting more time off, he has still performed impressively with three top-seven finishes so far, most recently at the PGA Championship behind Brooks Koepka.
“We’ve all been advocating for an off-season,” McIlroy explained, “it’s very hard to try and play your best golf when you’re really thinking about your golf swing.
“That off-season time would be nice to work on your mechanics and your fundamentals, so you’ve got those bedded in so you can roll going into the bulk of the season.
“I didn’t feel like I had the necessary time to do that. You want to take some time off over the holidays to get yourself back into it.”
This was Mickelson’s response:
As worn out as Mclroy was after the Masters and his need for an off season, LIV would be perfect for him. Problem is I don’t think there’s a team that wants him on it because they’d have to deal with all his bs.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 3, 2023
“As worn out as Mcllroy was after the Masters and his need for an off-season, LIV would be perfect for him.
“Problem is I don’t think there’s a team that wants him on it because they’d have to deal with all his bs.”
Shortly after the PGA Championship, Mickelson described LIV Golf as “the best way to be your best in majors,” with fewer tournaments to play and fewer obligations to fulfill.
Greg Norman’s rebel tour will hold just 14 events in 2023 and there was a four-month break between the start of this season and the end of its inaugural season in 2022.
His shot at McIlroy wasn’t his only notable social media post of the week.
Yesterday, the 52-year-old went as far as suggesting a debate with NBC analyst and LIV Golf critic Brandel Chamblee, hosted by Piers Morgan at LIV’s London event next month.
He also responded to one person who enquired about his history of gambling addiction, to which Mickelson responded: “Haven’t gambled in years. Almost a billionaire now. Thanks for asking.”
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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.
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