Phil Mickelson, who led the player exodus from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, might soon find himself no longer playing for the breakaway Saudi league.
According to his biographer, Alan Shipnuck, Mickelson’s next contract with LIV could see him in a non-playing captain role. Bubba Watson, another LIV Golf star, may also follow suit when their current contracts with the league expire.
Both Mickelson and Watson will re-enter negotiations with league bosses towards the end of 2025, potentially moving away from on-course action. Mickelson has had only two top-10 finishes in 20 events on the LIV circuit, struggling to replicate his former glory days on the PGA Tour. Watson, a two-time Masters winner, has faced similar struggles too.
In his first full season with the Saudi-backed series, the captain of RangeGoats, Watson, made it to the top-10 once. His best LIV show was last May in Tulsa.
During the LIV Greenbrier last summer, Watson hinted he’s open to stepping back from playing if needed, saying: “I told my team if they don’t think I am good enough to play, they can kick me out and we will put another good golfer in my place.”
Phil Mickelson’s playing days could soon be over (Image:Getty Images)
He added: “I am going to play until they kick me out. I love helping the young guys. They are all trying to be better and also better at golf. I get to influence three golfers in life, they are all parents and young dads. I want to be there for them and if they have a problem, I want to be able to help them.”
Mickelson, on the other hand, has talked about retiring too but there’s a catch. He is one win away from the career Grand Slam, only needing the U.S. Open title.
He suggested he’d quit after winning that major tournament: “If I win the U.S. Open, I will retire,” he told Golf Digest in February 2022. That would be my last tournament. I will have achieved the career Grand Slam and I won’t have anything more to prove.”
