Paul McGinley backs Phil Mickelson’s belief that LIV got one big thing right over the PGA Tour

Phil Mickelson says LIV do one thing better than the PGA Tour

Speaking to the press ahead of the eighth LIV event in Virginia, Mickelson praised the league’s approach when it comes to fans and sponsors.

“I think that LIV has made some incredible strides of getting to where we want this to be,” he said. “It will get there. I don’t know the exact timeline.

“We want all the best players in the world to be able to compete against each other more often and on a global scale, and the model that I was a part of for decades just didn’t allow for that.

“We never played against each other. We didn’t have elevated events. We never played all of us against each other outside of the majors. It was not able to move internationally. When they did have tournaments and WGCs internationally, a lot of players didn’t play.

“That’s disappointing from a sponsor standpoint, from a fan standpoint. When you’re paying for these events and television and you don’t know what you’re buying, that’s frustrating.

“When the fans don’t get to see all the best players play, that’s difficult. The model that is on LIV is what is needed to be successful. We saw it even on last week’s Signature Event. Players will do what’s good for them and not necessarily play unless they are contractually obligated, just like in the NFL and baseball and every other professional sport.

One point Mickelson raised is that PGA Tour pros aren’t under contract to enter every event. The Signature Events were designed to address this, bringing the top stars together for a select number of tournaments each season.

However, that hasn’t always been the case. Scottie Scheffler sat out the Truist Championship, while Rory McIlroy missed the Memorial.

Paul McGinley agrees with Phil Mickelson’s comments on LIV and the PGA Tour

One of the few analysts who’s shown some openness towards LIV, McGinley voiced his agreement with Phil’s take through a post on X, acknowledging how LIV’s fully committed format stands out.

The PGA Tour’s path forward could involve locking down the top 10 players to play in specific events, giving them a stronger pitch to advertisers, sponsors, and broadcasters.

Adding names like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Joaquín Niemann back into the fold might be the last piece needed for the Tour to truly elevate its offer.