Phil Mickelson 'wouldn't be surprised' if LIV Golf make major change

Phil Mickelson says he wouldn't be surprised if LIV Golf changed their format to 72 holes after completing his Masters. 

Lefty made the cut at the 88th Masters but, much like his old adversary Tiger Woods, struggled over the weekend. 

Mickelson, 53, a three-time winner at Augusta National, added rounds of 75, 74 and 74 to his opening 73 to finish on eight-over par. 

In the immediate aftermath of his 31st Masters appearance, Mickelson said he enjoyed the challenge despite not contending. 

"I was not as sharp with my short game and threw a lot of shots away there," Mickelson said, who finished runner-up in 2023. 

"But I had a fun week and a great opportunity to experience this course and this test in a way that we don't normally see."

A reporter asked Mickelson if LIV playing 54 holes has affected his performances in the major championships. 

"I don't think it matters either way," Mickelson said. 

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Then he revealed: "I wouldn't be surprised if some or all of LIV events went to 72. I don't know, but it doesn't matter. I enjoy the competition."

Before the major began, defending champion Jon Rahm called for the breakaway tour to change their format. 

Asked if it helps playing 54 holes at this stage of his career, Mickelson said: "I'm not sure because it's more of a sprint. 

"You have to play well the first day or you're so far behind that it's hard to catch up, whereas in 72 you can kind of work your way into the tournament and fight if you don't have it the first day, fight to keep it around par then make up ground. 

"It could go either way. It's just the nuances of a different format.

The aforementioned Woods was asked about the future between the PGA Tour and LIV after he finished dead last in the 2024 Masters. 

Woods described the recent meeting with LIV mastermind Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas as positive. 

"We're headed in the right direction," he said. 

As for Mickelson, he refused to be drawn into speculation about the future. 

"Others are handling that," he said. "I'm not involved. Others are taking care of that."

Mickelson has been at the centre of the unprecedented disruption in the men's game since June 2022. 

The six-time major champion went into a five-month self-imposed exile before LIV hosted their inaugural event.

He even decided to skip the 2022 Masters as a result of the backlash his comments received about his dealings with the Saudis to form LIV. 

When he returned to Augusta National last year, he was reportedly dead silent at Scottie Scheffler's dinner. 

And, according to Sir Nick Faldo, Lefty was quiet again as attendees honoured Rahm. 

Faldo, 66, told Sky Sports: “He was dead quiet, standing next to me. I wonder why.”

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