As the possible merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour continues to hang in the balance, golfing superstar Phil Mickelson finds himself in a social media spat, springing to the defense of fellow LIV colleague, Brooks Koepka. The controversy ignited after Fred Couples, a legendary name in the world of golf, hinted that Koepka is angling for a return to the PGA Tour.
Mickelson, in a barbed retort that has since been wiped from social media, criticized Couples, accusing him of a ‘low class jerk move’. His stern rebuke, reported by the New York Post, suggested that Couples had either compromised a valued relationship or usurped Koepka’s autonomy over his career trajectory.
The controversy was sparked by Couples’ comments during a radio interview in his hometown of Seattle. He insinuated that Koepka was keen to rejoin the PGA Tour, saying, “He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour.”
This disclosure puts Koepka, alongside Mickelson, in a difficult position. Both are currently affiliated with LIV Golf and consequently banned from the PGA Tour. A return to the PGA Tour would necessitate a monumental shift in the golfing world.
The potential return of Mickelson and Koepka to the PGA Tour is contingent on the complex negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). The proposed deal would see the Saudis acquiring a stake in the PGA Tour Enterprises and gaining a place on its board.
However, the path back to the PGA Tour for top LIV Golf players remains shrouded in uncertainty. A meeting last month at the White House, attended by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, golf legend Tiger Woods, and star player Adam Scott, has yet to yield any announcements. The silence following the meeting could be ominous for golf enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the merger of the tours.
In the interim, fans can catch the world’s best players, including Mickelson and Koepka, at major championships. Between them, they boast 11 major victories, with Koepka scoring his fifth at the 2023 PGA Championship after joining LIV. Despite the ongoing controversy, he remains a contender for any major this season, including the upcoming Masters, a title he has yet to clinch.
Mickelson, however, faces a steeper climb. Despite making history as the oldest major champion ever at the 2021 PGA, his recent performance at the majors has been less than stellar. As the drama unfolds off the course, golf fans worldwide will be watching with bated breath, eager for a resolution to the uncertainty clouding the future of these golfing giants.
