In a career spanning more than three decades of professional golf, Phil Mickelson has seen plenty of ups and downs. The unfortunate latter scenarios have often pitted him against harsh criticism and endless abuse, but the veteran golfer has emerged stronger from each setback. Still ridiculed for his LIV Golf switch that shook the golf world, Mickelson remains a staunch advocate of the Greg Norman-backed league, which was on show in a recent Twitter thread with a former PGA Tour pro.
Phil Mickelson engages in a heated keyboard battle
Unlike many over the age of 50, Phil Mickelson knows a thing or two about social media. The veteran golfer makes room for dad jokes as well as provides a sneak peek into his daily activities through the internet. But in other instances, he isn’t afraid to express his contentious opinions, which are most likely related to the LIV Golf Series.
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One of Greg Norman’s major issues with the league has been its failure to gain world ranking points from the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). With close to half of the top 30 playing in the rebel league, is it time for the governing bodies to start awarding points?
A number of golf enthusiasts engaged in a conversation on the dilemma, which involved former PGA Tour player, Colt Knost. Despite being only 37, he has turned into a regular analyst and on-course commentator for PGA Tour events. With Knost putting everybody in a spot of bother with his Twitter opinions, Mickelson barged in, which led to a dispute regarding OWGR’s position on LIV Golf.
What started Mickelson and Colt’s agitated discussion?
It began when ‘Lefty’ decided to answer Colt’s burning question – why didn’t LIV Golf and Norman adhere to the OWGR rules before starting the league? Claiming the situation to be out of his hand, Mickelson argued how OWGR’s reluctance to announce ranking points for LIV Golf was an alleged way to guarantee television money to the PGA Tour offices.
Respectfully,I don’t need OWGR points nor do I care about them for myself. I’m in 3 majors for the next 13+ years and all four majors through 2025. It’s about doing what’s right and calling out the collusion that’s taking place behind closed doors to help JM get all his tv money.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
The 52-year-old also revealed that his involvement was a means of support for his colleagues in the rebel league, who were on tenterhooks on the world rankings. As it stands, Mickelson has little incentive to fight given his major championship privileges.
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When you don’t have facts to back up your position this is what you tweet? No thanks.
I’m good.— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
Towards the end of the thread, Knost even requested Mickelson to come to his show and engage in a healthy discussion around the matter, which the latter humbly declined. On further insistence, the six-time major championship shut down the former golfer with an unequivocal tweet.
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Do you think the LIV Golf Series should earn ranking points from the OWGR? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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