Former POTUS Donald Trump Once Addressed His Admiration for Phil Mickelson: ‘A Good Guy, A Great Representative’

The golf world criticized the 52-year-old PGA Tour golfer Phil Mickelson for supporting the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Yet, the golf enthusiast and former POTUS, Donald Trump, had always respected the golfer. And he has a reason for it.

“Phil is, you know, a good guy, a great representative (of golf),” Trump said to Golf Digest. “Phil should be out playing in this (PGA) championship,” he added.

Interestingly, the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster had the opportunity to host the 2022 PGA Championship. However, the PGA of America changed the venue to Southern Hills after the former POTUS faced a political issue.

Although the move led him to lose interest in watching the major, he wanted Mickelson to play in it as he admired him. “His manner, when he walks around with a smile, tipping the cap, the whole thing, you know?” he said in the interview with Golf Digest. 

Donald Trump’s take on Mickelson’s comment on Saudi golf sponsors

“Phil got himself into a little trouble with his explanations,” the ex- POTUS said. Furthermore, he added, “That could have been better handled, I guess. But Phil’s Phil.” 

Read More: A $54M Prize is Up For Grabs at LIV Golf Invitational Series

An article, written by Alan Shipnuck, featuring Mickelson’s controversial comments on the Saudi golf sponsors and the PGA Tour had turned his career upside down. He had to take a four-month-long break to get over the criticisms that led him to miss the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship. 

Phil Mickelson – career at 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series

Despite criticism, Mickelson was one of the top PGA Tour players to sign with the LIV Golf for its inaugural event. Reportedly, the league offered him approximately $200 million to play for them. Notably, the first LIV Golf Invitational Series’ first tournament in London was the golfer’s first time making an appearance after February. 

As an experienced and one of the most successful players on the field, LIV Golf made him the captain of team HY FLYERS GC. Trump’s Bedminster-based golf club will host the league’s third event in the last week of July. However, Mickelson hasn’t been able to get up in the game as of now. 

The 57-time worldwide champion finished 34th on the leaderboard at the London event after scoring 69-75-76 from the rounds. Meanwhile, he repeated his 10-over overall score in the second event in Portland and finished 42nd in the field. 

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Do you think Mickelson can win a LIV Golf event this season?