Phil Mickelson. Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Mickelson continues peacekeeping efforts after Rory McIlroy's LIV Golf comments

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/4/24

One of the biggest names left on the PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy, made a huge step toward bringing possible peace between his organization and LIV Golf on Wednesday.

Arguably the biggest defector to the Saudi Arabia-backed league continued the peacekeeping efforts in the early morning hours on Thursday.

This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say. Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, It’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future. Rahms’ signing is turning into a bridge to bring… https://t.co/KG2wifcWvT
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 4, 2024

Following nearly two years of frequent criticism, McIlroy drastically changed his tone this week when discussing LIV Golf during an appearance on Sky Bet's "Stick to Football" podcast. Among other things, the four-time major victor said that he was "maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start."

McIlroy added that he thought it was a "bit of a mistake on (his) part" because he now realized that "not everyone is in (his) position or in Tiger Woods' position." The 34-year-old continued: "We all turn professional to make a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that's what I realized over the last two years. I can't judge people for making that decision."

The latest switch over to LIV Golf came in early December and was one of the biggest yet. It was reported on Dec. 7 that two-time major winner Jon Rahm was joining the breakaway league.

The 29-year-old Spaniard won the 2021 U.S. Open and more recently captured the crown at the 2023 Masters. Rahm is the third-ranked men's golfer in the world, behind only No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy, both of whom are still on the PGA Tour. Mickelson is ranked 122nd.

Despite McIlroy's recent comments on LIV Golf, don't expect the Irishman to join the circuit any time soon.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) advisers introduced the idea of McIlroy and Woods owning teams in the LIV Golf League as part of a slideshow to PGA Tour policy board chairman Ed Herlihy and independent director Jimmy Dunne, two days after they met with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in late April. The idea was "quickly rejected" by the tour, however.

Discussions of the possible merger have been going on for months and it was reported this week that the PGA, DP World Tour and PIF weren't able to come to terms on a "definitive agreement" by New Year's Eve. It was also reported, however, that all parties agreed to extend the talks into 2024.

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