Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson said hello, but it doesn’t seem like they’ll break bread anytime soon.
The two were spotted walking next to each other at Royal Troon prior to the British Open and Mickelson — a defector to rival LIV Golf — told reporters Saturday that he did say “hello” to Woods while the two were at the driving range.
However, the chat was short-lived.
“We said hi,” Mickelson said, per the Golf Channel. “Yeah, we said hi, but we were both preparing. It’s not like we’re going to sit there and chat. But we said hello, yeah.”
Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts on the 18th green during day four of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 21, 2024. Getty Images
The two golf rivals have never been quite close, and they have been on the opposite side of the long-running war between LIV and the PGA.
Woods, who missed the cut after shooting a disastrous 14-over during the opening two rounds, is part of the PGA Tour policy board and Mickelson has been one of the rebel golf league’s major recruiters over the years as LIV has picked off a number of big names from the Tour.
While speaking with the media, Mickelson, who finished 11-under and in a tie for 60th, said that he didn’t have much of an opinion on the attempted merger between LIV and the PGA Tour.
Talks between the two leagues have been in the works for some time, but details have been limited in where things stand with those negotiations.
Tiger Woods of the United States acknowledges the crowd as hewalks up the 18th fairway during day two of The 152nd BritishOpen at Royal Troon. Getty Images
Phil Mickelson puts the Green Jacket on Tiger Woods at the conclusion of the 2005 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. Andrew Davis Tucker / USA TODAY NETWORK
“I don’t know about that stuff,” Mickelson said. “I’m not involved. I’m not sitting in those rooms. I am enjoying where I’m at and what I’m doing and playing. I’ll let other people figure that stuff out.”
The Open Championship wrapped on Sunday with Xander Schauffele taking home his second major championship after winning the PGA Championship earlier this year.
Schauffele’s victory helped give the Americans a sweep of the four majors for the first time since 1982, according to the Associated Press.
“It took me forever just to win one, and to have two now is something else,” Schauffele told reporters.