Phil Mickelson is anticipating further clashes involving LIV Golf rebels on the DP World Tour as he predicted the outcome of the sport's crucial arbitration case.
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed's epic Monday battle at the Dubai Desert Classic was intensified by their divide in golf's fierce civil war.
The maligned American Reed - who stirred controversy by throwing a LIV-branded golf tee towards McIlroy after the Northern Irishman had blanked him on the driving range - is one of the players who will soon find out whether they have a future on the formerly known European Tour.
Reed joined the contentious Saudi-backed series last year and regularly wears LIV clothing whilst competing in DP World Tour events.
The former Masters champion was joined by fellow LIV defectors including Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood in the field for the thrilling tournament in Dubai.
But LIV players are currently only permitted to play on the traditional European-based circuit because of a stay on suspensions and their case will be heard before an arbitration panel at Sports Resolutions on February 6.
Should they lose the case, LIV players would be banned from combining their expanded 14-event LIV schedule with the DP World Tour, which would deny access to Ryder Cup and world ranking points.
But Mickelson, who became the face of the disruptive breakaway last year, is confident the LIV players will win the case and believes more duels akin to the McIlroy vs Reed showdown can help boost the sport's profile.
“In a couple of weeks I expect the players, the LIV players will win their case in the UK and we’ll open the doors for all players to play on the European Tour," Mickelson said.
"There’s a very good chance you’ll have more showdowns, more head-to-head competitions like you saw last week in Dubai and that would be a really good thing for the game.”
Mickelson is preparing for this week's Saudi International, the premiere event on the Asian Tour. And speaking ahead of his first start of the year on Thursday, the 52-year-old had high praise for the show put on by McIlroy and Reed at the Emirates Club in Dubai.
"The final round was incredible," he said. “Both players played some great golf. Patrick played an incredible final round.
"Rory didn’t really have his best stuff throughout the day, but he fought hard for the last two to win and that shows a lot about the kind of champion and player he is.
"It was great for the game to have that type of interest and it’s been interest throughout the globe."
