Phil Mickelson’s Woes Worsen as Old Enemy Snubs Him in Shock LIV Golf Praise

Phil Mickelson carded his worst 36-hole U.S. Open score yesterday. This was four straight years, and the 53-year-old failed to book a weekend spot at the national major. The HyFlyers captain posted worse than 15- over only three times at the U.S. Open, but on all occasions, he played 72 holes. Mickelson also missed the cut at the PGA Championship last month. 

Unsurprisingly, his performance failed to impress Sir Nick Faldo, who totally ignored Mickelson while heaping praise on his LIV Golf peer. Sir Nick Faldo is mighty impressed with Bryson DeChambeau, whom he believes plays the most entertaining golf. So much so that even after meeting and greeting him, the three-time Masters champion heaped praise on him on his social media handle. 

Despite his distaste for LIV Golf, Faldo had no qualms about embracing the Crushers GC captain and everything that he stands for: innovation, an unorthodox approach, and a fearless attitude. After yesterday’s round, Faldo, who is working with Sky Sports as an analyst, embraced the 30-year-old with open arms. The three-time Masters champion put his hand on DeChambeau’s soldier as they joked and shared laughter. 

Doubling down on his praise for the Crushers GC captain, Faldo wrote, “I like the guy! Bryson is good entertainment. He brings a fascinating & innovative scientific approach to golf.” It’s not that the Ryder Cup-winning captain has changed his stance on LIV Golf, and certainly, his grace doesn’t extend to all. 

Faldo has been one of the staunchest critics of LIV Golf. In the wake of the June 3 merger announcement last year, Faldo predicted that the PIF-funded side would have trouble finding sponsors. The Englishman also dubbed LIV courses as ‘resort courses’ that lack the finer points like the PGA Tour or major championship courses. Faldo even took a swipe at Phil Mickelson during the Masters for his LIV Golf switch. 

Nick Faldo had earlier taken a jab at Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson was one of the first few golfers to sign with LIV Golf for the inaugural edition. Since then, the 45-time PGA Tour winner has batted for the Suadi-backed league, emerging as the de facto spokesperson for the Greg Norman-fronted side. 

Faldo did take a slight dig at Phil Mickelson at this year’s Masters. Mickelson, who stood beside Faldo at the Champions dinner, was unusually reticent. Faldo later told Sky Sports, “Phil was very quiet on Tuesday; he didn’t say a word. He was dead quiet, standing next to me. I wonder why.”

Notably, a decade ago, when LIV was still some vague idea, Faldo blasted Mickelson after a press conference. Lefty, after losing at the 2014 Ryder Cup, laid the blame squarely on the soldiers of the U.S. captain. Faldo later told the media that Phil Mickelson should’ve addressed the issues in a private conversation instead of publicly throwing his captain under the bus. No love was lost between the two, it seems.