In a startling turn of events, the golfing world was left reeling when Phil Mickelson, the iconic golfer, severed his three-decade-long association with the PGA Tour in 2022. This unexpected move not only split the golf fraternity but also sparked a series of speculations, with many pointing fingers at his gambling habits as a possible reason for his shift to LIV Golf. Analyst Brandel Chamblee even claimed that Mickelson had inflicted “irreparable harm” to professional golf.
While Mickelson’s decision did lead to a loss of sponsors and a ban from PGA Tour events, it also set the stage for a significant transformation within the PGA Tour. Golfers began to feel the ripple effects of his departure, as the dynamics within the PGA Tour underwent a notable shift.
In a recent episode of the Fore Play Podcast Plus, Cal Clutterbuck engaged in a spirited discussion about Mickelson’s impact on the PGA Tour. He pointed out that the Tour was reluctant to facilitate any changes, standing by its ‘it is what it is’ stance amid a plethora of complaints.
Clutterbuck further highlighted how Mickelson’s controversial move inadvertently benefited golfers like Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler. The event purses soared due to LIV’s investment, and Cantlay and Scheffler, who were not subjected to any backlash, reaped significant monetary rewards.
In 2024, Cantlay earned a staggering $7.2 million, which included $1.56 million from major championships, $4.71 million from official events, $195,000 from unofficial events, and $755,000 from the Tour Championships. Scheffler’s earnings were even more remarkable. As one of the highest-paid golfers in 2024, he grossed $41 million in on-course earnings and $20 million in off-course earnings.
In a bid to compete with LIV Golf’s mammoth purses, the PGA Tour introduced a new schedule in 2023, featuring eight “Signature Events” with substantial purses, five of which have limited fields without a 36-hole cut. Jay Monahan, in an effort to show gratitude to his golfers who resisted LIV Golf’s tempting offers, introduced the “Player Benefit Program”.
Mickelson, during his three-decade tenure with the PGA Tour, often expressed his concerns about the number of tournaments in the tour that seldom hosted the top players. He advocated focusing the prize money on fewer events with larger purses, thereby ensuring more frequent competition among the top players.
Despite failing to receive the PGA Tour’s support, Mickelson’s vision was realized with the arrival of LIV. At the LIV Golf Bedminster event in 2023, he openly discussed the two areas of professional golf he had worked hard on and how they had materialized due to LIV.
Undoubtedly, Mickelson’s departure from the PGA Tour shook the golfing world. Yet, it also triggered a series of changes that have been well-received by the PGA Tour players. It’s a classic case of every cloud having a silver lining. So, what’s your take on these recent developments in the PGA Tour?