Phil Mickelson has praised the progress of LIV Golf, after the breakaway circuit made a return to Centurion this week, the place in which it was born 13 months ago.
The last time Mickelson and co found themselves in St Albans, LIV Golf was entering the unknown in its first ever competition. Since then plenty has happened in the Saudi-backed league's maiden year, having been at war with the PGA Tour for almost all of it.
The battle appears to have come to a shock - and sudden - end, after the Tour confirmed last month that it had signed an agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, that will see it work in unison with LIV Golf and the DP World Tour.
It remains unknown as to what the proposed merger means for either of the three tours, with doubt especially cast over the future of the breakaway league. Whatever does happen next, one man who is more than pleased with where LIV now find themselves is Mickelson.
Speaking at LIV London this week, he said: "It has been nice to come back to where it [LIV Golf] started. A lot has transpired in the last year, it has been pretty amazing how far things have come." As was the case in 2022, Mickelson was joined in his opening round by fellow big name Dustin Johnson.
"It has been fun for us to play together, me and DJ [Dustin Johnson] played together last year and it was fun to play together again this year." Following the groundbreaking news last month, Mickelson - who has been as outspoken as any player - has been fairly reserved on the topic.
Heading into this week's tournament though, the six-time major champion is optimistic about the sport's and LIV Golf's future. "I’m excited about the direction of professional golf," Mickelson said per Sports Illustrated. "I'm optimistic about the future.
"I’m optimistic about the growth of LIV and I'm optimistic about the global growth of the game." On the course it has been another frustrating week for the HyFlyers captain, as he sits in a tie for 40th at one-under-par at Centurion heading into Sunday's final round.
