‘He Deserves It’: Hours Ahead of $25,000,000 LIV Event, Phil Mickelson Backs Fellow LIV Defector For 2023 PGA Championship

The PGA of America revealed the field for the year’s second major on Wednesday, with over a dozen LIV pros making it onto the list. From Brooks Koepka to Cam Smith to Phil Mickelson, the golfing heavyweights from the Saudi-backed league are some of the fan favorites to clinch the title this year.

Many were, however, surprised to see that some of their favorite LIV golfers had failed to qualify. Even two-time PGA Championship winner Mickelson couldn’t stop himself from relaying his frustrations about a fellow LIV compatriot not making it into the field.

LIV golfer’s absence from the PGA Championship field frustrates Phil Mickelson

Mickelson’s decision to withdraw from the 2022 PGA Championship came as a huge shock to many, especially after his history-making win at the previous year’s edition. He then followed the much-talked-about withdrawal with a controversial move to LIV Golf, aggravating fans and critics alike.

Ahead of the 2023 PGA Championship, the golfer has once again found himself in a pickle. This time, Phil Mickelson has taken a stand for LIV’s Cameron Tringale, who did not make it to the recently-declared PGA Championship field. In doing so, he has heaped high praise on Tringale, calling him one of the best putters in the sport.

The six-time major winner is still hopeful about the golfer’s chances. “I hope he gets in next week,” he wrote. “He deserves it” in his tweet. The 35-year-old Tringale, who also plays in the Mickelson-led Hy Flyers GC, was a part of last year’s PGA Championship field. But he had a forgettable outing, tying for the 41st position on the leaderboard. He is currently ranked in the 103rd position on the Official World Golf Rankings, as LIV tournaments do not get any OWGR points.

Read More: ‘Worthless’: Golf Fans Give Mixed Reactions Over Phil Mickelson’s Video Ahead of $25,000,000 LIV Event

Both golfers are now set to appear at LIV’s next event at Tulsa’s Cedar Ridge Country Club. Like other tournaments in the Saudi-backed league, this event also boasts an incredible $25,000,000 purse. In LIV’s last event in Singapore, Tringale finished ahead of Mickelson at T11, making $380,000 in earnings.

After LIV Golf Tulsa draws to an end, Mickelson, along with 17 other LIV players, will be heading to New York for the 2023 PGA Championship.

18 LIV golfers qualify for the PGA Championship

Recently, the PGA of America announced the 155-player field for the second major of the year. The last place is reserved for the winner of the AT&T Byron Nelson tournament. A total of 18 LIV players will be playing in the PGA Championship this year, including past winners Koepka, Mickelson, and Martin Kaymer.

LIV golfers Talor Gooch and Anirban Lahiri had earlier received invites to play in the highly coveted event. The likes of Dustin Johnson, Cam Smith, and Patrick Reed will also be appearing. Golf fans, however, won’t be able to catch LIV’s Sergio Garcia in action this time around. Despite his recent success at LIV Singapore, the Spaniard failed to qualify for the major event. It’s the first time in 24 years that the 2017 Masters winner has suffered this huge setback.

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Are you excited to witness the PGA vs. LIV drama unravel at the PGA Championship? Who do you think will win the title this year? Let us know in the comments below!