Phil Mickelson Defiant: Why He Believes LIV Golf Will Revolutionize the Sport Despite Dismal Ratings

Phil Mickelson has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his leap from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in 2022 still reverberates through the world of professional golf. A legend with six major championships and 45 PGA Tour victories—tied for eighth all-time with the great Walter Hagen—Mickelson’s move to the Saudi-backed league sent shockwaves through the sport.

Yet despite his storied career, Mickelson is still searching for his first LIV win. And while the league continues to struggle in the ratings game—averaging just 85,000 viewers during its Riyadh event compared to the PGA Tour’s 2.87 million during the same weekend—Lefty remains one of LIV’s loudest and most passionate defenders.

DORAL, FL – APRIL 4: Phil Mickelson shelters from the rain during day one of LIV Golf Miami on April 04, 2025, at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Florida. (Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As LIV Golf Miami teed off at the iconic Blue Monster course at Trump National Doral, Mickelson stood firm in his belief that the breakaway tour is the future of golf. In a candid interview with Fox News, he laid out what he sees as LIV’s major advantage over the PGA Tour.

“The traditional golf model is broken,” Mickelson said. “Sponsors don’t know what they’re buying, fans don’t know who they’re watching, and TV networks can’t predict which stars will show up. LIV changes all of that.”

CBS Sports’ final round coverage of @WMPhoenixOpen up +21% vs. last year.

Season-to-date coverage of @PGATOUR on CBS is up +36% vs. last year: pic.twitter.com/IjhCx24sIt

— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) February 11, 2025

🇸🇦#LIVGolfRiyadh 3rd Round TV Viewership (Saturday):

• FS1 10A-12P: 54,000 viewers
• FS2 12P-3P: 31,000 viewers

Tough Opening Weekend from a viewership perspective for LIV on FS1/FS2. pic.twitter.com/DvpqlPseI3

— @YeahClickClack (@YeahClickClack) February 11, 2025

He touted LIV’s consistency and global vision, claiming that by offering predictable fields and expanding into untapped international markets, the tour is setting the stage for long-term success.

But numbers tell a different story—for now. LIV’s limited television reach and poor weekend ratings in the U.S. remain glaring problems. Even so, Mickelson remains unfazed. With fellow LIV players like Sergio Garcia gearing up for The Masters, he believes it’s only a matter of time before the tide turns.

As the PGA Tour continues to outshine LIV in viewership and mainstream support, Mickelson’s optimism might sound bold—but it’s classic Phil: fearless, forward-thinking, and always ready to shake up the game.