ST. ANDREWS in Scotland — Phil MickelsonHe said that he respects Tiger WoodsAfter the 15 time major champion,, the opinion of LIV Golf was that those who joined the breakaway series had turned our backs on what has allowed us to get to this point.
In his first round at The Open, Mickelson was even-par on Thursday. Its the 150th edition. The hot topic this week is the ongoing dispute over LIV Golf and those golfers who have defected to the new series.
Woods responded to a Tuesday question about LIV Golf: I disagree with that. Theyve turned their backs on whats allowed them to get to this point, I believe.
Mickelson said that he respects his opinion. I have a lot respect for him. I respect his opinion. I believe that everyone will have strong emotions and opinions about it. I certainly respect his opinion.
Mickelson was unable to attend the 150th Open celebrations, which included Mondays Celebrations of Champions as well as Tuesdays champions dinner. Mickelson, who was absent from the 2013 Open at Muirfield despite being a past winner of The Open, was invited.
The R&A contacted me a couple weeks before and said, Look, we dont think its a great idea you go, but if you want to, you can, Mickelson said. I didnt want to make a big deal of it so I said OK. We were both in agreement that it would be better if I didn’t.
Mickelson also missed both the Masters and PGA Championship champions dinners.
Despite the disagreements behind-the scenes about the future of LIV Golf, Mickelson stated that he was happy to have joined the new series. It is being funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Mickelson stated, I made the right choice for me. And Im excited, like I said, about having the opportunity to play competitively and have it in my daily life on a more moderate level so that I can also do other things. I was able to free up a lot more time.
I couldnt have been happier. Its been great. I cant wait for New Jersey to play another event. The player experience, from a player perspective, is a 10. Its impossible to get it better. Its not my job, to explain or help you understand. Its just that I couldnt be happier.
Mickelson received a respectful remark from the crowd at St. Andrews Ian PoulterA few spectators booed him on the first tee. He carded a 3-under-69 on Thursday, and when asked about the booing, he said that he didnt hear any.
Poulter stated that he thought he had received a great reception on his first tee. All I heard was clapping.
The Ryder Cup veteran also said he had not read any comments from the R&A this week, after CEO Martin Slumbers criticized LIV GolfWednesday. Poulter stated that he hopes that the differences between the different stakeholders can be resolved.
Poulter stated that he hoped so, but that smarter people are more likely to be at the top than I am. I left school at 15. I would have believed that intelligent people could figure it out, but clearly not.
Poulter stated that he had not received any animosity from his fellow pros despite Woods and other high-profile golfers. Rory McIlroyWe are against the LIV series.
Poulter stated, Ive heard great remarks, great talks with everybody. We might disagree on some things, but theyre my best friends. These guys are my friends. They have played golf with me for over 20 years.
Even though they may have different opinions, thats okay. All of us have opinions, right? We are still friends, no matter where you are playing golf.
