Before the sport became plagued by the riches of LIV Golf and civil wars, there was a time the world’s leading players could publicly rib each other about money. Talks remain ongoing about a long-term merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed venture, with the rift having divided players past and present for much of the last two-and-a-half-years.
But there was a time when the leading players were able to exist harmoniously together, and even make fun of each other in public.
And six-time major champion Phil Mickelson provided a prime example of that back in 2019, during the US Masters at Augusta.
The tournament is best remembered for the incredible renaissance of Tiger Woods, who defied crippling injury problems to win his 15th major title. But Mickelson, who also claimed the three jacked on three occasions, arguably made the biggest off-course contribution of the weekend.
As he drove down the fabled Magnolia Lane for his third round on the Saturday morning, the 54-year-old posted a video to social media. Using the short clip, he explained how he was looking forward to being paired with compatriot Matt Kuchar.
However, he also took a savage dig at his playing partner, who had come under fire five months earlier after winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic. Kuchar, now 46, was later criticised by temporary caddie David Giral Ortiz for not paying him enough, handing him less than £4,000 of his £942,000 winnings.
The former Ryder Cup player was forced into not only handing Ortiz more, but also into issuing a public apology. And he later made an unspecified donation to the Mayakoba Classic’s charity.
Mickelson wasn’t about to let him forget about it. On his way to the first tee, he joked that he wouldn’t be betting any money with Kuchar over who would have the more productive 18 holes.
“Obviously, we’re not going to have any side action today because I’d probably see like .06 percent if I did win,” joked ‘Big Phil’. “But we’re going to have a great day.”
It was Kuchar who had the last laugh however. By Sunday evening he had finished 12 under par, enough to be be tied for 8th place, with Mickelson two shots further back in joint-12th.
Not that Mickelson needs to wager with any player these days. Since his defection in 2022, he’s made almost £4million in earnings from the LIV tour, despite not winning a tournament following his high-profile move.
