Phil Mickelson explains why he entered LIV Golf, broke from PGA Tour: ‘This new path is a fresh start’

It appears that Phil Mickelson’s time on the PGA Tour has come to an end.

The LIV Golf Series announced via a press release on Monday that Mickelson will be among the final entrants to the 48-man field for its first event in London.

“Phil Mickelson is unequivocally one of the greatest golfers of this generation,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf. “His contributions to the sport and connection to fans around the globe cannot be overstated and we are grateful to have him. He strengthens an exciting field for London where we’re proud to launch a new era for golf.”

Mickelson will immediately be one of the Saudi-backed startup’s most recognizable players along with Dustin Johnson, the 13th-ranked player in the world. It also means that Mickelson won’t be playing in any PGA Tour events any time soon given the ultimatum Tour commissioner Jay Monahan previously issued to the organization’s players.

Why did Mickelson choose LIV Golf, and what does it mean for his future? Here’s a breakdown of Lefty’s big decision.

MORE: Explaining Phil Mickelson’s LIV comments, controversy

Why is Phil Mickelson playing in LIV Golf Series?

Mickelson took to Twitter Monday to explain his decision to leave the PGA Tour. He noted that he was excited to have a “fresh start” that he believes could help change the way golf operates on a global scale.

After 32 years, this new path is a fresh start, one that is exciting for me at this stage of my career and is clearly transformative, not just for myself, but ideally for the game and my peers. I also love the progressive format and think it will be exciting for fans. Just as importantly, it will provide balance, allowing me to focus on a healthier approach to life on and off the course. I am incredibly grateful for what this game and the PGA Tour has given me. I would like to think that I have given back as well but now I am excited about this new opportunity.

It is also reported that Mickelson signed a contract worth roughly $200 million to join LIV Golf.

Phil Mickelson officially listed in the field for the LIV Golf opener in London.

Hearing from a source that Mickelson signed a contract Saturday night worth ~$200 million.

— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) June 6, 2022

Mickelson’s decision to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf isn’t surprising. The 51-year-old was one of the most vocal supporters of the new start-up league. In February, it was reported that he was considering joining LIV Golf because he believed it was “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”

“They’ve been able to get by with manipulative, coercive, strong-arm tactics because we, the players, had no recourse,” Mickelson said of the PGA Tour in February to Alan Shipnuk. “As nice a guy as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won’t do what’s right. And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage. 

I’m not sure I even want [LIV Golf] to succeed, but just the idea of it is allowing us to get things done with the [PGA] Tour.

Whether LIV Golf will succeed remains to be seen, but its eight planned tournaments are going to be played. As such, Mickelson will play in them and that will leave his PGA Tour future in doubt.

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Will Phil Mickelson play on the PGA Tour?

Mickelson’s decision to play in the LIV Golf Series means that he will no longer have a future on the PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour sent a memo to its players on May 10 that it would not be granting its players’ requests to participate in the inaugural LIV Golf event.

“As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players,” read the memo from PGA Tour executive vice president Tyler Dennis.

Commissioner Jay Monahan doubled down on that stance in a statement released ahead of the Memorial Tournament in early June.

“As communicated to our entire membership on May 10, PGA Tour members have not been authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event, under PGA Tour Tournament Regulations,” the statement said, per ESPN. “Members who violate the Tournament Regulations are subject to disciplinary action.”

Essentially, Monahan’s ultimatum made players choose between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf Series. Mickelson chose LIV Golf, so he won’t be competing on the PGA Tour for the foreseeable future.

However, he still may be able to attend some of the biggest events on the golf calendar.

MORE: Full field of LIV Golf players for first event of 2022

Will Phil Mickelson play in the majors?

Mickelson said in his statement that he “intends to play the majors” despite being a part of LIV Golf. It’s possible that he could do that.

Golf’s four majors are part of the PGA Tour calendar because PGA Tour athletes play in each event. However, each event is run by a different governing body.

The Masters is organized by Augusta National Golf Club; the U.S. Open is run by the USGA; The Open Championship is organized by The R&A; and the PGA Championship is run by the PGA of America, which — confusingly enough — is a different entity than the PGA Tour.

What does this all mean? It means that each governing body will be allowed to decide whether Mickelson and other LIV Golf members are able to play in each tournament if they qualify. The PGA Tour may attempt to exert its influence on each event to keep the defectors out, but at the end of the day, it’s the choice of the governing body.

As such, Mickelson’s status for majors moving forward will bear watching. He already qualifies for the Masters and PGA Championship, two tournaments that allow previous winners to play automatically, but those tournaments won’t be played again until 2023.

He could try to play in the U.S. Open (June 16-19) or The Open Championship (July 14-17), but if not, fans will have to wait a while before this question is fully answered.