Phil Mickelson has insisted the Ryder Cup is the USA against Europe and it will not matter if stars are playing for LIV Golf.
And the American veteran hailed the progress of the first year of the Saudi-backed breakaway league as he claimed: “It's not going anywhere.” The six-time Major winner was one of three LIV players to finish in the top six at the Masters. And Brooks Koepka led after 54 holes of the US PGA with Bryson DeChambeau also in the top four.
Both players are banned from the PGA Tour after signing up for LIV but can still qualify for the USA team by racking up points in Majors. American captain Zach Johnson again refused to be drawn on whether he would pick a rebel as one of his six wildcards.
But Koepka, Dustin Johnson and even DeChambeau on current form would make the US team stronger in Rome. Speaking before the leaders teed off in the final round of the US PGA, Ryder Cup veteran Mickelson, who made his debut at Oak Hill in 1995, said: “I don't see the benefit of the Ryder Cup to change from what it is the US versus Europe now.
"Originally it was like Great Britain and Ireland. I don't see the benefit of changing that. And I don't see how it's any of the concern of the PGA of America of what tour we play. But that's just my opinion.”
Mickelson, who shot a closing 70 at the US PGA to finish on 10-over par, said he had not talked to fellow LIV players about the Ryder Cup but added: “The way they're playing it sure looks like they want to be on the team”.
Zach Johnson claimed it would be "irresponsible and extremely inappropriate" for him to attend LIV events to check on the form of players - and dodged the question when asked if he would feel “comfortable” having a LIV star on his team.
“I don't know,” said the 2015 Open champion. “I can't answer that. I'll say this: The guys that are on the PGA Tour that make that team, they have direct ownership in that collectively. So for me to stand here and say that I would feel comfortable or uncomfortable with it would be selfish on my behalf because it's not my team.”
Mickelson won the US PGA aged 50 in 2021 but missed last year serving a suspension for encouraging PGA Tour players to defect. Mickelson reappeared at the first LIV event at The Centurion Club last June. LIV will return to the Hertfordshire course on July 7.
Asked for LIV’s biggest achievement in the first year, the American left-hander said: “It's provided 48 new professional golf opportunities at the highest pay which is incredible and is holding a lot of people accountable for some things that they've done. It’s appealing to a lot of the younger generation and getting a lot younger fans to come out and introducing a whole different vibe to the game of golf that I think is necessary.
“We're only a year in so it's just starting. The people that come out and are part of the tournaments, seem to be really enjoying it. It's not going anywhere. It's going to continue to accelerate, and hopefully people continue to give it a try.”
Mickelson confirmed he has been interviewed by the US Department of Justice as part of an anti-competition investigation into professional golf. I am appreciative that they're being held accountable,” he said.
