“Enjoy your retirement” – Fans react to Phil Mickelson’s snipe at PGA Tour over structural changes

Phil Mickelson, who was a part of the inaugural season of the LIV Golf series in June, took a snipe at the PGA Tour on Sunday (September 4). The 2021 PGA Tour champion, who reportedly received around $200 million to play in the Saudi-backed series, was critical of the PGA’s newly announced structural changes.

Extending the PGA Tour-LIV Golf debate, Mickelson stated that the PGA announced the changes due to the emergence of LIV Golf.

Mickelson played at the LIV Golf Invitational series event in Boston on Sunday. Speaking after the event, Mickelson took a shot at the PGA Tour, stating that the US-based Tour 'magically found a couple hundred million' for the players.

Lauding the LIV Golf series for laying the path for PGA Tour’s structural changes, Phil Mickelson said:

“I think the fans are getting a lot of benefit out of this, and all golfers, all professional golfers are getting a lot of benefit. The guys on the Tour are playing for a lot more money. It’s great that they magically found a couple hundred million; that’s awesome. Everybody is I think in a better position now than they were a year ago.”

Mickelson has been highly critical of the American circuit ever since his suspension from the same. Last week, the PGA Tour announced a series of structural changes, including new 'elevated' events, higher prize purse, and a new short-format golf tournament.

Mickelson said that he was 'happy' for the PGA Tour players as the circuit was now listening to their needs. The 52-year-old went on to laud the LIV Golf series for leading the way for the betterment of golf and added:

“Now [players are] being heard and things are changing. Things have gotten better for everybody in professional golf and I believe for the fans, too, because they’re seeing golf in a different environment with LIV. They’re seeing on the Tour, the Tour is bringing their best players together more often."

"LIV is moving professional golf throughout the world… I didn’t say I felt vindicated, I said I felt happy for the guys, that they have a voice and they’re being valued and they’re being heard, and changes are being implemented to show that appreciation.”

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Twitter users react to Phil Mickelson’s comments

Many were critical of Phil Mickelson’s comments and slammed him for the same. A few commented that the ace golfer was 'salty' after picking LIV Golf over the PGA.

Here are some of the reactions:

Ronnie Gallacher

@RonnieGallache5

@NotDrJ @PhilMickelson @LIVLaffGolf @LIVGolfUpdates @Tengolf_en Just go and enjoy your retirement from competitive golf Mickelson.
I'm sure finishing last every other week will pay off your gambling debts quicker than playing proper golf.
Spend more time with your family and stop crying like a girl about the PGA.

1

@NotDrJ @PhilMickelson @LIVLaffGolf @LIVGolfUpdates @Tengolf_en Just go and enjoy your retirement from competitive golf Mickelson.
I'm sure finishing last every other week will pay off your gambling debts quicker than playing proper golf.
Spend more time with your family and stop crying like a girl about the PGA.

Prince Herb jr ( the duke of herb )

@gosteeIers

phil mickelson single handedly gambled away like $40 million dollars, took an insider trading tip to pay off a gambling debt, got caught, and wants to act like he didnt get that whole life funded from the pga tour. What a selfish self centered little rat #LIVGolf

phil mickelson single handedly gambled away like $40 million dollars, took an insider trading tip to pay off a gambling debt, got caught, and wants to act like he didnt get that whole life funded from the pga tour. What a selfish self centered little rat #LIVGolf

🇺🇸 Progressive Poodle 🏴‍☠️

@capemaypete

Delusional, thy name is Phil.

Phil Mickelson, who is suing PGA Tour, says he's 'moved on' golfchannel.com/news/phil-mick…

1

Delusional, thy name is Phil.

Phil Mickelson, who is suing PGA Tour, says he's 'moved on' golfchannel.com/news/phil-mick…

jim spencer

@jimspen62092959

@ByronYork If liv golf gets started & mickelson stayed with pga yes prize money still increases. Liv money for a hit and giggle is driving change, Not Phil. Let’s be honest Phil was given 200m to help dismantle the PGA from the inside. Traitor…DJ& Cam’s 150M is about steeling talent

@ByronYork If liv golf gets started & mickelson stayed with pga yes prize money still increases. Liv money for a hit and giggle is driving change, Not Phil. Let’s be honest Phil was given 200m to help dismantle the PGA from the inside. Traitor…DJ& Cam’s 150M is about steeling talent

Sherry

@Sherry00262830

I totally support the PGA ban of LIV golfers. Players like Smith, Johnson and Mickelson wanted BIG BUCKS and they got what they asked for, but they SHOULDN’T be allowed to play for the PGA.

I totally support the PGA ban of LIV golfers. Players like Smith, Johnson and Mickelson wanted BIG BUCKS and they got what they asked for, but they SHOULDN’T be allowed to play for the PGA.

Phil Mickelson’s fans also came forward and backed the comments made by the ace golfer. Some even questioned the American Tour regarding the changes announced to the existing structure.

Jamal

@NotDrJ

For everyone’s benefit, @PhilMickelson ROASTING the #PGATour in his post round for “magically finding a couple hundred million!”
@LIVLaffGolf
@LIVGolfUpdates
#LIVGolf
Courtesy @Tengolf_en YouTube.

830

71

For everyone’s benefit, @PhilMickelson ROASTING the #PGATour in his post round for “magically finding a couple hundred million!” 😂😂😂
@LIVLaffGolf
@LIVGolfUpdates
#LIVGolf
Courtesy @Tengolf_en YouTube. https://t.co/gCK6RPhrH7

John Craven

@Ace_Craven

Mickelson shitting on the PGA Tour for having a rainy day fund. Glorious

4

Mickelson shitting on the PGA Tour for having a rainy day fund. Glorious https://t.co/RFnLbG50zT

Poochie

@DanceDadTim

@Rickie088 @CamTringale They’re not signed to an contract with the PGA. They earned those spots and qualified. Mickelson was right all along. No guaranteed money. At LIV there is. The PGA used the players footage for commercials, ads etc. The players got none of that. This extra $$ was there all along

@Rickie088 @CamTringale They’re not signed to an contract with the PGA. They earned those spots and qualified. Mickelson was right all along. No guaranteed money. At LIV there is. The PGA used the players footage for commercials, ads etc. The players got none of that. This extra $$ was there all along

Jim Ravenkamp

@raveybaby123

@PGATOUR Hopefully, all the Rory's and Tigers of the PGA world read this tweet. All of the outspoken golfers in the PGA world that have hidden behind the skirts of the dictators in the PGA management and have criticized but more importantly abandoned Phil Mickelson.

@PGATOUR Hopefully, all the Rory's and Tigers of the PGA world read this tweet. All of the outspoken golfers in the PGA world that have hidden behind the skirts of the dictators in the PGA management and have criticized but more importantly abandoned Phil Mickelson.

GolfMagic.com

@GolfMagic

Was Phil Mickelson right about the PGA Tour "sitting on hundreds of millions"?
golfmagic.com/liv-golf/liv-g…

2

1

Was Phil Mickelson right about the PGA Tour "sitting on hundreds of millions"? 😧
golfmagic.com/liv-golf/liv-g…

Mickelson remains at the forefront of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf debate as he is the most popular among the golfers who jumped ship to join the Saudi-backed series. It should be noted that players continue to switch sides to join the LIV golf, with the latest being Cameron Smith.

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