Phil Mickelson Responds To Rory McIlroy’s Softened Stance Toward LIV Golf

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Rory McIlroy stunned the golf world recently when he reversed course on his stance toward LIV Golf and players that defected from the PGA Tour.

Now Phil Mickelson, one of LIV’s loudest supporters, is weighing in.

“I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start,” McIlroy said. “And I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position, or in Tiger Woods’ position.”

“We all turn professional to make a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that’s what I realized over the last two years,” he continued. “I can’t judge people for making that decision. So, if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgmental at the start.”

McIlroy, to some extended, sounded beaten down. He eventually admitted that LIV is here to stay, whether he likes it or not.

“I’ve gone through the last two years with this altruistic approach where I’ve looked at the world the way I’ve wanted to see it,” he said. “Ultimately, you can say what you want and do what you want, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to change peoples minds. You’re never going to make them decide based on what you say. I wouldn’t say I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now.”

It would be easy for folks to hammer McIlroy for backtracking. But Mickelson says that’s not what he hopes to see.

“This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say,” Mickelson tweeted. “Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, it’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work toward a positive future.”

Kudos to Mickelson. It would have been easy to take a victory lap. But that’s not what he did. And it could go a long way toward repairing an otherwise fractured relationship with McIlroy.