2x US Open Champion Uses Phil Mickelson Example While Advocating for LIV Veterans

Jun 21, 2026, 7:04 PM CUT

July 12, 2024, Cadiz, Cadiz, SPAIN: Phil Mickelson of Hyflyers team looks on during day one of the LIV Golf Andalucia at Golf Club Royal of Valderrama on July 12, 2024 in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20240712_zaa_a181_042 Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcherox

LIV Golf’s future remains uncertain. While much focus is put on the young stars in the league, 2-time U.S. Open Champion Retief Goosen revealed his stance on the return of some veterans.

Goosen wanted to see his former PGA Tour counterparts on the senior circuit, the PGA Champions Tour, and believed that their reinstatement would be beneficial to the Tour.

“We would like to see some of those guys. The few events Phil Mickelson played early on—he played five events, and he won four of them—we had more crowds at those events than they have at LPGA events,” said Goosen to Front Office Sports at Shinnecock.

Retief Goosen plays a shot from a bunker on the tenth hole during the second round of the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, Friday, July 12, 2024, in Akron, Ohio.

Back in 2020-21, when Mickelson was part of the PGA Tour Champions, he recorded four wins on the senior circuit.

However, right after that, he made his shift to LIV Golf and faced endless backlash from the golfing community.

Despite that, Goosen supports Lefty’s return to the American circuit as he and other veterans still boast an extraordinary fan base.

“Our TV coverage was higher, too. So, we would love to see those guys back, and somehow get back, because the Champions Tour is all about the legends. You’re supposed to play on the Champions Tour if you’ve been a legend on the PGA Tour,” added Goosen.

Along with Mickelson, former Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter remain popular names in the sport. Their addition could be vital for the senior circuit.

Interestingly, LIV golfers Pat Perez and Henrik Stenson have already started working on their way back. Perez was reinstated as a Tour member in January but remains suspended from events this season. Similarly, Stenson is serving a suspension till August.

Just like Goosen, former Ryder Cup U.S. captain, Steve Stricker agreed that LIV veterans will be a hit on the senior circuit.

Steve Stricker Thinks LIV Golf Veterans Will Be A Hit

Stricker pointed out in an interview with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the return of older LIV players could elevate the tour’s status.

“There’s two ways of looking at it, right? Sure, to have the guys that are 50 now, or close to it, like Lee Westwood, [Ian] Poulter, Pat Perez, some other guys [Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson], they would be hits here on the Champions Tour. This tour could use that. I look at it from that standpoint,” said Stricker.

However, Stricker pointed out that those returning would probably be assessed hefty fines or suspensions, just like Brooks Koepka, who came back earlier this year.

“It would only help our event, you know? But I also know that there are probably consequences for them if they want to come back,” Stricker said.

For now, influential figures such as Goosen and Stricker believe veteran LIV players would bring immediate value to the Champions Tour. Whether that leads to broader reinstatement opportunities remains one of the key questions facing golf's senior circuit.

Do you think older LIV players should be allowed to feature on the PGA Tour Champions? Share your opinions in the comments.

Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Rudra Dubey