When Phil Mickelson shocked the golf world by joining LIV Golf, it wasn’t just a defection—it was a line in the sand. And Tiger Woods, the man whose rivalry with Mickelson defined an era, didn’t hesitate to let the world know exactly where he stood.
“I think that what they’ve done is they’ve turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position.”
That quote, delivered by Woods during the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews in July 2022, wasn’t just a critique—it was a gut punch. It marked the peak of a public unraveling between two of golf’s most iconic figures.
From Rivals to Frenemies
For decades, Woods and Mickelson were the alpha and omega of men’s golf. Their early relationship? Frosty at best. A 1998 spat over a $500 practice round bet symbolized a rivalry marked by tension and barely concealed disdain. Woods once viewed Mickelson as a supremely talented underachiever who didn’t put in the work.
But by 2018, things had softened. The two shared laughs during a practice round at Augusta and even headlined “The Match” in Las Vegas. “Our friendship has gotten stronger over the years,” Woods said at the time.
Then LIV happened.
The Fallout Begins
In November 2021, Mickelson gave an explosive interview calling Saudi backers of LIV Golf “scary motherf—ers” and openly acknowledging their human rights violations. Yet, he claimed the risk was worth it to challenge what he labeled the PGA Tour’s “obnoxious greed.”
Woods’ response at the 2022 PGA Championship was firm but measured: “Phil has said some things that I think a lot of us who are committed to the Tour… have pushed back against.” He acknowledged the absence of Mickelson as a draw for fans, but it was clear that the bond between them had frayed.
He added: “The viewpoints that Phil has made with the Tour… have been polarizing.”
By July, Woods no longer pulled punches. He denounced LIV Golf’s 54-hole format, its lack of cuts, and the guaranteed paydays. “I just don’t understand it,” he said. “What is the incentive to practice? To go out there and earn it in the dirt?”
Mickelson Responds—Sort Of
To his credit, Mickelson kept it classy. Asked about Tiger’s remarks, he simply said: “I certainly respect his opinion. I have a lot of respect for him.”
That respect, though, no longer carried the warmth of their late-2010s friendship. At the 2024 British Open, the two were seen on adjacent practice tees. Mickelson later confirmed: “We said hi, but we were both preparing. It’s not like we’re going to sit there and chat.”
The fire was gone. The rivalry, once white-hot, had cooled to polite frost.
Tiger’s Loyalty to the Tour
Woods’ criticism of LIV wasn’t just about Mickelson. It was about legacy. He repeatedly invoked the names of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, pioneers of the PGA Tour’s structure.
“I believe in legacies. I believe in major championships and big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past.”
Even when rumors swirled about astronomical offers made to Woods to join LIV, he turned them down. His stance remained unshaken: professional golf should be earned, not bought.
The Rift That Won’t Heal
In a sport defined by tradition, Woods’ unwavering support for the PGA Tour became a lighthouse for purists. Meanwhile, Mickelson, who once stood toe-to-toe with Tiger, now leads a fractured movement that redefined professional golf’s landscape—but at what cost?
Their handshake at the 2024 Open might have been cordial, but it said everything: we were once rivals, then almost friends. Now, we are simply two legends who chose different paths.
And for Tiger Woods, the path away from LIV isn’t just a professional decision. It’s a matter of principle.
