Phil Mickelson on Tiger Woods' LIV Golf criticism: 'I certainly respect his opinion' but 'couldn't be happier' with decision

One of, if not the most famous men's golfer of all-time broke his silence Tuesday on the growing list of defectors joining the controversial LIV Golf Series. On Thursday, as the 150th Open Championship teed off, perhaps the most well-known face in the breakaway league responded.

On Tuesday, Tiger Woods said the members of the Saudi Arabia-funded league had "turned their backs on what got them into this position," referring to leaving the PGA Tour. While Phil Mickelson — who carded even-par in the first round — kept things cordial in his response to Woods, he said that he has no regrets with his decision.

"I certainly respect his opinion. ... I have a lot of respect for him. I respect his opinion. I think everybody's going to have strong emotions and opinions about it, and I certainly respect his," Mickelson said, per ESPN's Tom Hamilton. "I made the right decision for me. ... And I'm excited about, like I say, having the opportunity to play competitive golf and have it in my life in a more moderate scale to where I can do some things outside of that too. I freed up a lot of other — freed up a lot of time as well."

Among the other notable golfers joining Mickelson with the LIV Golf Series are Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.