14 September 2023 , 21:49
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Former United States Ryder Cup captain Lanny Wadkins has hit out at LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson, labelling the iconic left-hander "disappointing" and "divisive".
Mickelson has proven to been one of golf's biggest personalities throughout his successful career, and once again threw himself into the limelight following his decision to join LIV Golf last summer. The American became the breakaway league's marque signing, having left the PGA Tour with a bang.
One man who knows the six-time major champion well is Wadkins, having captained Mickelson on his Ryder Cup debut at Brookline back in 1995. The U.S. skipper was left impressed by the fresh-faced left-hander having gone unbeaten on debut.
Almost 30 years on though, Wadkins' opinion on Mickelson has certainly changed. Criticising Mickelson's handling of his controversial move to the LIV circuit, the 1977 PGA Championship winner told Golfweek: "I mean we all love Phil and watched him play.
"He was a rookie on my Ryder Cup team and played very well. He went 3-0. He and Amy were dating, they weren’t even married at that point in time. But to do the stuff he’s done and, you know, cause the problems he’s caused and the friction he’s caused, and the divisiveness in golf he’s caused.
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"If it wasn’t for golf, where would Phil Mickelson be? You know, he’d be gambling in a ditch somewhere. So, you know, It’s not good. I think he owes more to the game than what he’s done." The battle Wadkins refers to is the assault Mickelson mounted on the PGA Tour on the back of his move to the breakaway league.
Phil Mickelson joined LIV Golf last summer (PA)The world of professional golf was left in a state of civil war prior to June framework agreement between the Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), with Mickelson often seen as an instigator of the dispute. As well as ending his 30-year relationship with the Tour, it appears the six-time major champion's Ryder Cup career may well also be over after admitting earlier this year that he was "at peace" with never representing Team USA in the matchplay event again.
Whilst his best playing days may well be behind him, Mickelson would have been a shoo-in to captain his nation at the Ryder Cup stage at some point, and Wadkins believes this would have come in two years a Bethpage if it would not have been for the LIV saga. "No question he would have been a captain, probably a two-time captain," he said. "He probably would have been the captain next time at Bethpage Black when it comes over here. Instead, it’ll probably be Tiger [Woods]."