Tensions Rise as Jack Nicklaus Criticizes Phil Mickelson Before the Masters

"I don't know what level Phil is competing at," Nicklaus responded. "I guess he is still playing. He's playing the LIV Tour, is he? I don't know if he's playing or not. I don't know, you never see that or not."

Shots fired from The Bear, both at Mickelson and LIV Golf in general. 

As one of, if not the greatest golfer of all time, and someone who had 73 wins on the PGA Tour and a record 18 major championships, it isn't a huge surprise to see that Nicklaus is not a fan of LIV, and the division it has caused in the world of professional golf. 

For him to take aim at Mickelson, though, is amusing, to say the least. 

Coming into the Masters, Mickelson was not considered one of the favorites to win, but there was some expectation for him to at leas make the cut and play the weekend. It has been a few years since he won a major championship — the PGA Championship in 2021 — but he has played well at Augusta, both in his career and as of late. Mickelson has three green jackets to his name, and he finished in a tie for second in 2023 before a T43 in 2024. 

Whether or not Nicklaus' words inspire him to play well this week or serve as a hit to the ego is yet to be seen, but it certainly delivered some golf drama to kick off the tournament.