Phil Mickelson admits LIV Golf would be perfect for the "worn out" Rory McIlroy but doesn't think anyone in the rebel series would tolerate his "b******"
The Northern Irishman has been among the most outspoken players over the past year, frequently taking aim at the Saudi-funded breakaway league, which has captured many of golf's biggest names after offering huge upfront cheques. LIV have taken a different approach to the PGA Tour, deciding to play less golf.
McIlroy's schedule remains packed and he's in contention to claim the Memorial Tournament on Sunday with the US Open just around the corner. Meanwhile LIV Golf will hold just 14 events in 2023 and their players had a four-month break between the start of this season and the end of its inaugural season in 2022.
The four-time Major winner is in favour of an off-season, which would be provided to him were he a member of LIV Golf, but Mickelson, the first major name to defect, doesn't think he'd be welcomed.
McIlroy said: “We’ve all been advocating for an off-season. It’s very hard to try and play your best golf when you’re really thinking about your golf swing. That off-season time would be nice to work on your mechanics and your fundamentals, so you’ve got those bedded in so you can roll going into the bulk of the season.
“I didn’t feel like I had the necessary time to do that. You want to take some time off over the holidays to get yourself back into it.”
In response Mickelson took his chance to dig and the Northern Irishman: "As worn out as McIlroy was after the Masters and his need for an off season, LIV would be perfect for him. Problem is I don’t think there’s a team that wants him on it because they’d have to deal with all his bs."
McIlroy's schedule is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. He was unable to chase down Brooks Koepka at the PGA Championship recently, but is eyeing success in the season's third major, which will be held at the Los Angeles Country Club later this month.
Four weeks after that and McIlroy will be back on British shores as he contests the Open at Royal Liverpool. Before that he will play several events, including a warm-up tournament in Scotland before his trip to Merseyside. The 34-year-old is then set to play more tournaments in the UK, including the BMW Event at Wentworth, which he won in 2014.
