Scheduled Tribes. Andrews, Scotland – Phil Mickelson says he respects Tiger Woods’ opinion about LIV golf after the 15-time major champion said “participants in the breakway series” allowed him to get this position.
Mickelson received a similar card in the first round at The Open in St Andrews on Thursday. Although this is the 150th edition of the famous championship, the topic of discussion this week is the dispute between the various stakeholders in LIV Golf and the golfers participating in the new series.
Asked about LIV Golf on Tuesday, Woods said, “I disagree with that. I think they’ve turned their backs on letting the situation get to them.”
“I definitely respect his opinion,” Mickelson said Thursday. “I have a lot of respect for him. I respect his opinion. I think everyone has strong feelings and opinions about it and I definitely respect that. “
Mickelson did not attend the 150th Open event earlier this week, which included Monday’s Champions Ceremony and Tuesday’s Champions Dinner. Previous Open winners were invited, and even after taking the 2013 Open at Muirfield, Mickelson was a notable absence.
“A few weeks ago, R&A contacted me and said, ‘Look, we don’t think it’s good to go. [to the celebrations]But if you want to, you can, ”said Mickelson. “I didn’t want to talk about it much, so I said okay. We both agreed that it would be better if I didn’t.”
Mickelson also missed the champion’s dinner at the Masters and PGA Championships.
Despite behind-the-scenes disagreements about the future of the sport following the introduction of LIV golf, Mickelson said he could not be “happy” with his decision to join the new series, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund. Used to be. ,
“I made the right decision for myself,” Mickelson said. “And as I said, I’m excited to have the opportunity to play competitive golf and to have it at a more moderate level in my life where I can do a few things beyond that. I’ve been very free – a lot of time.
“I can’t be happier. I think it’s gotten really good. I can’t wait to go to New Jersey and play another event there. A player’s experience is one of those 10 events from a player’s point of view. It’s not my job to explain or help you, just that I can’t be happier.
While Mickelson received a respectable response from the crowd at St Andrews, Ian Polter – who also plays in the LIV series – was greeted by a handful of spectators on the first tee. He was given a 3-under 69 card on Thursday and when asked about Boeing, he said he “didn’t hear any.”
“Honestly, I thought I got a very nice reception on the first tee,” Polter said. “All I heard was applause.”
The Ryder Cup legend also said he had not read any comments from R&A this week after CEO Martin Slummers criticized LIV Golf on Wednesday. But Polter said he hopes differences between the various stakeholders will be resolved.
“I would expect that, but smart people are clearly more at the top of the tree than I am,” Palter said. “I dropped out of school at the age of 15. I thought smart people could find it – apparently not. “
Polter also said that despite speaking out against high-profile golfer LIV series like Woods and Rory McIlroy, he found no animosity from his fellow seekers.
“I’ve heard great comments, great conversations with everyone,” Polter said. “We may have differences, but they are my friends. You have been playing golf with these kids for over 20 years or 10, 15 years, you have been part of many teams with them.
“Even if they disagree. We all have opinions, don’t we? We’re still friends, whatever the situation, and you’ll be playing golf anywhere. “