LIV Golf's schedule has often been criticized for lacking the intensity of traditional tours. However, Phil Mickelson argued the opposite back in 2023, linking the circuit with strong major performances.

Since LIV started out, many predicted that its players would struggle at majors due to the lack of events and intensity. However, their results often told a different story, with several LIV golfers recording strong finishes on golf's biggest stages.

“Love LIV or hate it, it’s the best way/Tour to be your best in the majors. Enough events to keep you sharp, fresh and ready, yet not be worn down from too many tournaments or obligations. 14 LIV events, 34 weeks left open to prepare for the 4 majors. Fact.” Mickelson wrote in a tweet back then.

His argument centered on LIV Golf's lighter schedule at the time. LIV players competed in 14 regular-season events, while most PGA Tour players typically played between 20 and 30 tournaments each season.

Mickelson was on a roll at Augusta that year. He became the oldest player in Masters history to finish inside the top five.

The three-time Green Jacket winner recorded a 7-under 65 in the final round to finish tied for second.

Lefty was tied with another LIV golfer, Brooks Koepka, who had a two-shot lead heading into the final round but failed to capitalize on it.

Not far behind them was another LIV Golf player, Patrick Reed, who finished tied for fourth.

In the following month, at Oak Hill, Koepka lifted the Wanamaker Trophy, strengthening Mickelson’s claim.

Fellow LIV Golf players Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith finished top-10 at Oak Hill. Cam Smith and Dustin Johnson registered top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open that year.

The major win by Koepka and the top-10 finishes by the other LIV golfers indeed backed Mickelson’s claim.

However, at the U.S. Open and The Open Championship, the results of the LIV golfers were not particularly impressive, leaving Mickelson's claim up for debate.

LIV Golfers At The Majors This Season

The performance of LIV golfers at Augusta received a lot of negative attention. Only Tyrrell Hatton stood out with his T3 finish.

Other than that, it was not that great. Two-time major champion DeChambeau failed to make the cut, while Jon Rahm made it.

The record at the PGA Championship was much better. Rahm fell short by three strokes and finished tied for second. Cam Smith was also in the top 10, finishing tied for seventh.

However, other than these two, no other LIV golfer was in contention for the title.

Big names like Koepka and Reed have already left the rebel tour. Currently, the league’s future is filled with uncertainty, and LIV golfers are backing the management to sort things out.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav