“He would have been ridden to sunset as one of the greatest caretakers of the game and it’s just sad that he torpedoed that legacy,” said Brandel Chamblee back in 2023 about Phil Mickelson’s move to LIV. Brandel Chamblee was also disappointed with his move as he believed Mickelson was very entertaining and would have been the best commentator for the sport. “If Phil hadn’t gone to LIV, hadn’t been actively recruiting players to LIV, and actively trying to undermine the PGA Tour, he would have been given a spot in the booth where he would have been unbelievable.” He wasn’t wrong.

You see, Mickelson had a legacy on the Tour and aura, that only a few could match. Since moving to LIV, a few would argue that it’s all gone. He hasn’t won any event and has broiled a lot of bad blood between him and the Tour. Maybe this is the reason a few people think he’ll not be welcomed back on the Tour ever?

Phil Mickelson has burnt the bridges leading to the PGA Tour

Recently Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis talked about LIV players coming back to the Tour with an insider in Golf Podcast with Rex and Lev. The $3B merger talks are in process and are yet to be concluded. Even after including President Donald Trump. Things are now worse and insiders are calling it a “stupid game of chicken.” However, even if the merger happens pros like Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau may be able to go back. But the pathway for Phil Mickelson looks tough, believes a golf insider.

Rex stated his point by revealing the story of Laurie Canter from the DP World Tour. He was the first former LIV player to play in a non-major non-co-sanctioned PGA Tour event at last week’s PLAYERS Championship. The golfer was never a PGA Tour member, his suspension lasted a year from his last LIV event as the rule states.

He further added, “It was interesting to me because as a non-member the tour has created that pathway for these players but speaking with people behind the scenes it’s clear that the pathway for those who were members before they left is going to vary.” Speaking of members, he also took Phil Mickelson into account who although left the PGA Tour didn’t give up his membership. “As a lifetime member, I’m not required to play 15 events. I don’t have to play any. I can play one and so I don’t see the reason for me to give that up,” said Mickelson about his membership back in 2022.

“This is probably along with a lot of other things going to put Phil probably at the bottom of that category….if he ever would want to come back to the PGA Tour I am not even sure we will end up with some sort of agreement even if we end up with unification I don’t know that Phil would ever be welcomed back,” said Rex about Lefty’s chance of coming back. Todd Lewis then added, “I don’t if he’d wanna come back because he would get so much heat not only from the media from fans but from his fellow players I don’t know he would wanna come back.” 

Phil Mickelson joined LIV Golf for a whopping $200,000,000. At that time, Lefty was one of the biggest names to move and it caused a lot of drama. He spent almost three decades on the PGA Tour after turning pro in 1992. Since his move, he has had some harsh words for the Tour. He called out the PGA Tour for being greedy and taking control of players.

“We didn’t have an opportunity for elevated events [in the PGA]. We didn’t have an opportunity for equity. We didn’t have an opportunity to do our own social media. That was all controlled and shot down. Every event is an elevated event, We have equity, and we have the ability to do these social media posts and try to transcend the game of golf to different generations. All of these things were not possible before LIV came along,” he said on Newsweek.

Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were also talked about. It was pointed out that Koepka’s target has always been winning the majors, and it is true. Last year, he claimed his season was not good enough just because he had forgetful performances in the majors. And for DeChambeau he just wants to play some PGA Tour events. Lewis also suggested a “hypothetical” way where the Tour can instantly create a category.

“If you have won a major championship in the last five years with some kind of probably monetary fine you’ll have to pay for something like that then you can come back on the PGA Tour and that would Brooks Koepka and Bryson Dechambeau,” Lewis explained the category.

If the PGA Tour were to consider this hypothetical idea, would Koepka and DeChambeau actually return?

What do DeChambeau and Koepka think about rejoining the Tour?

Around two weeks ago Fred Couples spoke on a radio show and revealed some insights. He said Koepka recently expressed his desire to return to the PGA Tour as revealed by Golf Week. Before LIV Golf Singapore the golfer was asked about that comment he made to Couples. Koepka gave an interesting answer.

“I’ve got a contract obligation out here to fulfill,” 5x major winner said, “and then we’ll see what happens.” He didn’t exactly disagree, do you think he will go back to the PGA Tour? As for Bryson DeChamebau, he is staying in LIV Golf.

In the pre-tournament press conference ahead of LIV Golf Hong Kong, he was asked whether recent rumors circulating about top LIV players wanting to return to the PGA Tour were true. The 2x US Open champion gave a concrete answer. “I’m very excited about the future of LIV Golf,” DeChambeau said. “I’m very excited to be the captain of the Crushers and continue the legacy that we’re starting to create. That’s my goal is to create this lasting legacy where we impact millions and millions of golfers’ lives around the world. That should tell you everything you should know.” Clearly, Bryson DeChambeau wants to play some events on the PGA Tour but he’s not in the mood to go back.

Can you picture what it will be like when PGA Tour and LIV golfers compete on the same greens? Share your thoughts in the comments below!