A recent report from Alan Shipnuck’s “LIV and Let Die” has yet again stirred some new controversies in the golf realm. The author and his book have been making buzz in the golf world because of the behind-the-scenes content that the sports reporter has been putting forward through his work.
Last week, the book gave readers a new perspective on the ugly rumors around Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and the 2022 Open Championship dinner controversy. Now, the author has reported on yet another questionable event in the golf world related to Mickelson’s money over a legacy feud that has the community in surprise, questioning the truth and the remains of the narrative.
Alan Shipnuck’s take on Phil Mickelson’s PGL advocacy
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As per Alan Shipnuck, reportedly, Phil Mickelson played a significant role in advocating for the Premier Golf League (PGL) in competition against the PGA Tour.
Last year in February, PGL wrote letters to PGA Tour players and made substantial offers to top golfers, including $200 million to Tiger Woods and $50 million each to Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, and Rickie Fowler.
PGL writing letters to PGA Tour was common news. Everyone knew about the incident, but now Shipnuck book has unveiled a new side to the story where it is reported that Mickelson had a problem with the amount Woods was offered but later supported the PGL and thought the League would get all players on board once they signed Woods.
It was also revealed that after PGL lost support, Mickelson was in talks with LIV Golf and was negotiating with the Saudis while on the side also pitching his own breakaway tour, which proposed an eight-event team series underwritten by investors. This plan, similar to the PGL’s, was ultimately blocked by PGA Tour officials Jay Monahan and Ed Herlihy, per the Twitter handle.
Phil Mickelson's role in creating a breakaway circuit to compete against the PGA Tour runs much deeper than just LIV Golf, and his manuevering is chronicled in "LIV and Let Die." Behind-the-scenes, Mickelson was the loudest advocate for the Premier Golf League. In 2020, the PGL…
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) October 13, 2023
As these revelations from Shipnuck’s book came forth highlighting Phil Mickelson’s probable plan and the supposed league that was in making, it is salient to note that these big proposals weren’t the only thing unveiled. In fact, the author’s BTS about the 2022 Open Championship Woods and Mickelson feud has left the golf town confused.
Backstory to the changed dynamics between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, post LIV Golf
An excerpt from Alan Shipnuck’s “LIV and Let Die” has revealed that in the enduring golfing rivalry between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, a significant shift occurred with the coming of LIV Golf, leading to strained relations between the two legends.
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The LIV Golf initiative was met with skepticism by Woods, who declined a $800 million offer to join the venture, reportedly. This skepticism transformed into active opposition during the 2022 British Open champion’s dinner. Taking place shortly after LIV Golf’s inaugural event in June, tensions were already high between traditional golf tours and the new venture.
Woods, feeling strongly against Mickelson’s involvement with LIV Golf, took matters into his own hands and reportedly reached out to fellow past champions, seeking their support, and then approached the organizers, the R&A, to express his concerns. With the backing of other champions, Woods ensured Mickelson’s exclusion from the dinner.
After getting this back info on the incident, the once-friendly rivalry between Woods and Mickelson has now transformed into a battle of ideologies, with established players like Woods resisting the changes brought about by LIV Golf, leading to divisive moments within the golf community.
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