Phil Mickelson’s LIV golf days are over, evidence suggests Bubba Watson will meet the same fate

Phil Mickelson has struggled to find his form since joining LIV Golf in 2022, and a non-playing role could be the next step for the six-time Breakaway League Major Champion. be.

Due to his loyalty to the Saudi-backed league, Mickelson is already set up for his first tournament in June 2022. Mickelson started the exodus of PGA Tour players to LIV rosters. The six-time major winner has been a regular on tour ever since, but his days may soon be coming to an end. Mickelson’s biographer Alan Shipnack has suggested that the 53-year-old’s next contract with a breakaway league could be as a non-playing captain.

Greg Norman and his company have agreed to a four-year contract with team captain and 2023 individual champion Taylor Gooch. Shipnack said the players plan to resume negotiations with league officials in late 2025, and that Mickelson and Watson could choose not to play on the course.

Mickelson finished in the top 10 in his 20 tournaments on the LIV Tour after struggling to regain the form that made him one of the greatest players in history throughout his PGA Tour career. Even Watson, a two-time Masters champion, is struggling.

Watson, the Range Goats captain, has only finished in the top 10 once in his first full season in the Saudi-backed series. His best LIV performance was in Tulsa last May. The former Green Jacket winner has struggled to get back to his best form, but has previously spoken about his future on tour.

Speaking at the LIV Greenbrier last summer, Watson admitted he would be happy to play a supporting role with the Range Goats if his teammates wanted him. “I told the team that if they didn’t think I was good enough to play, they could fire me and replace me with another talented golfer.

“I’m not leaving until you tell me not to.” I love supporting young people. Everyone is striving to improve personally and as golfers. I have had the privilege of coaching three golfers in my life, including a new father. I want to be there for them and be able to help them if they need it. ”

In recent years, Mickelson has vowed to quit playing golf, but there’s a catch. The US Open is the only major title yet to be won by an American, but a victory would mark the end of his career Grand Slam. And if he had finally crossed the finish line at the home opener, his career would have ended there. In February 2022, he told Golf Digest: » This will be my last competition. I have nothing more to prove as I will end my career with a Grand Slam.