What happened to Phil Mickelson, Cam Smith and Bryson Dechambeau at the PIF Saudi International?
Things didn't go as planned for Phil Mickelson, Cam Smith, and Bryson Dechambeau in the ongoing PIF Saudi International, as all three of them failed to make the cut after 36 holes at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
Phil Mickelson was all over the news for various reasons outside of the golf course but couldn't do any wonders on the green.
Mickelson hit a 1-over score on Friday, missing a five-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole. He wasn't any better in the first round either, where he carded a 70, which meant he missed the cut by one shot. Over two days, the 52-year-old carded eight birdies, six bogeys, and one triple bogey.
The San Diego-based native looked visibly leaner at the PIF Saudi International. Prior to the event, he was hopeful of doing comparatively better this year after a mediocre 2022 season. In 8 LIV Golf appearances last year, Mickelson didn't win any, and could only make it to the top 10 once.
"I’m embarrassed with how I played last year," Mickelson was quoted earlier."I’m going to put that behind me and have a really good year.”
Since LIV is a 54-hole event, Mickelson's last 72-hole event where he made the cut was the 4th edition of the Saudi International, where he finished at tied 18. His last top-10 finish was in the 2021 PGA Championship, where he emerged victorious. Since then, he has struggled with his form and has been in news for more off-field issues.
It wasn't just Mickelson who disappointed the fans with his game. He was joined by World No. 4 Cameron Smith, who carded the scores of 3-over 73 and 1-under 69 over two days, hence missing the cut by two strokes.
Mexico's Abraham Ancer maintained his one-stroke lead over PGA Tour's Cameron Young as he carded a score of 4-under- 66 on Friday to take his aggregate to 11-under after 36 holes. Young hit a second straight 65.
Notably, Young is one of the few professionals permitted by the PGA Tour to play in the PIF Saudi International. The event is the first tournament of the season for many LIV professionals. PIF is also the chief sponsor of the rival Saudi circuit.
The change of driver didn't work for former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, who also exited the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club after failing to cut with a score of seven overs after 36 holes.
Phil Mickelson gets into "word war" on Twitter
Before the disappointing finish at the PIF Saudi International, Phil Mickelson was trending in the news for his exchange of words on Twitter. A Twitter account named 'Flushing It' believed that if there was ever a LIV vs PGA Tour event, it could become the most-watched TV event in golf history.
Easily! And im here for it! twitter.com/flushingitgolf…
Phil Mickelson took a jibe at the PGA Tour, citing that though the idea sounded exciting, the LIV golfers would beat them easily, which is the key reason for it not happening anytime soon.
@danny__woodhead It sounds great,but we would dominate them so soundly and it would be over so quick that tv would have to fill an hour of dead time. That’s why it’s not happening at this time 🤷♂️
Phil Mickelson was in no mood to stop on Thursday, where he responded to a handful of Twitter handles, irking many of them.