Phil Mickelson claims golf was “broken” and is in the process of “being fixed”

Phil Mickelson put himself in the spotlight again, by posting another of his controversial posts on X. Male professional golf has been plagued by controversy and division in recent years, with the emergence of LIV Golf and its challenges to the traditional PGA Tour.

Amidst the turmoil, Phil Mickelson has been at the forefront of the debate. The six-time major champion’s recent tweets, which sparked a heated exchange with Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, have raised eyebrows and renewed discussion about the future of the game.

The golf world has been in a state of flux since the inception of LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed tour that has lured several high-profile players away from the PGA Tour. The rift between the two tours has led to a war of words, with both sides trading barbs and accusations. 

The PGA Tour has been criticized for a perceived lack of innovation and restrictive media rights policies that have limited the exposure of young players like Bryson DeChambeau. LIV Golf, on the other hand, has been accused of being a puppet of the Saudi government and exploiting the sport for its own financial gain.

Phil Mickelson’s Tweet: LIV Golf as a solution?

Phil Mickelson took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his thoughts on the state of the game in the midst of a full-blown posting war with Brandel Chamblee over LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and the state of global golf. Mickelson posted:

“Golf was broken and is in the process of being fixed. 

1) Average age of PGA Tour viewer recently went from 60 to 65. 

2) Totally US centric and no plan to globalize opportunities. 

3) Monopolistic control of media rights wouldn’t allow for players to use YouTube and other social platforms to promote the game to the next generation and working from within the Tour wasn’t an option. i.e. Bryson. 

What he’s doing now wasn’t allowed before LIV. Fixing the problem takes time but it’s better than waiting for it to collapse entirely.” 

In response to several of Chamblee’s comments, Mickelson tweeted:

“Poor Brandel. He can rip apart me and countless others but as soon as someone shows his ignorance he can’t handle it. He’s softer now than he was as a player.” 

This led to a further exchange of harsh words, culminating in Chamblee blocking Mickelson on Twitter.

This Twitter exchange between Phil Mickelson and Brandel Chamblee has brought to light the underlying tensions within the golf world. Mickelson’s tweet addressing the issues plaguing professional golf and the potential solutions offered by LIV Golf has sparked discussions about the future direction of the sport.

Phil Mickelson’s tweet has sparked a renewed discussion about the future of golf and the role LIV Golf can play in shaping that future. While some have criticized LIV Golf for its ties to the Saudi government and perceived lack of transparency, others see it as a necessary evil that can help globalize the sport and provide new opportunities for young players.

The debate is far from over, but one thing is clear: the future of golf is uncertain, and it will take a concerted effort by all parties involved to find a solution that works for everyone.