Phil Mickelson & Rory McIlroy Sharing the Same Distasteful Fate? Who Has the Upper Hand in Golf Politics

Unexpected revelations are surfacing regarding the unfortunate situation faced by Rory McIlroy concerning his potential rejoining the policy board. Once holding a strong position as a policy board member, it might be surprising for the Northern Irishman to witness people turning against him.

While it may be a fresh experience for McIlroy, it appears that this occurrence isn’t unprecedented in the realm of professional golf. How, you might ask? Well, the answer lies in the connection to one of the key figures in LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson. Do McIlroy and Mickelson face similar circumstances? Let’s delve into that question.

The situations encountered by Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson has consistently participated in discussions whenever the possibility of both tours merging has arisen. Additionally, the 54-year-old has expressed his views on the LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger, aligning with his rival Rory McIlroy’s stance that a division in golf is “not sustainable.”

Following the Northern Irishman’s shift in attitude towards LIV Golf, the four-time major winner actively advocated for the merger. Reports indicate the PGA Tour offered $50 million to the #2 golfer as recognition of his loyalty to the tour, given his decision not to join the LIV circuit. While this insight underscores the importance of both players, given their influential voices, the current circumstances seem to have undergone significant changes.

Despite being vocal online and in the press, Mickelson is far from assuming a “decision-making role.” Moreover, he is now excluded from crucial matters, including the merger, despite actively participating in discussions about the topic. In April, during the Masters, when questioned about the PGA Tour’s meeting with Yasir Al-Rumayyan the previous month, he swiftly responded, “Others are handling that. I’m not involved. Others are taking care of that.” In the wake of these events, the six-time major champion has recently dropped hints about retiring.

When it comes to McIlroy, PGA Tour pros like Tiger Woods, with whom he seems to have a positive rapport, opposed the Northern Irishman’s return to the policy board. Alongside Woods, other officials such as Jordan Spieth and Peter Cantlay voted against it. The pro also shared his remarks on developing the PGA Tour policy.

What did McIlroy say about his return?

Having resigned from the policy board in November 2023, shortly after realizing his significance, the 35-year-old hinted at his potential return, suggesting, “I could be helpful to the process.“ However, circumstances didn’t unfold favorably for him, and he recently expressed his sentiments regarding the matter.

McIlroy stated, “It just got pretty complicated and messy.” He further noted, “The way it happened, I think it opened up some old wounds and scars from the things that have happened before.” While pointing out the incidents from the past, the pro further revealed, “There’s a subset of people on the board that were maybe uncomfortable with me coming back on for some reason.”

McIlroy’s handling of the situation, without disclosing specific names, indicates opposition from individuals behind the scenes towards the 35-year-old. While both professionals face similar situations, Phil Mickelson maintains influence despite claiming to no longer be involved in LIV management.

Meanwhile, McIlroy desired to assist with the tour, but he is currently grappling with tension within the policy board. Are you in favor of Rory McIlroy returning to the team of officials? Let us know your thoughts!