Report: Mickelson to feature in all eight LIV Golf events

Phil Mickelson last played a tournament at the end of January but he continues to make the headlines. The latest speculation is that he has signed an agreement to play in all eight of the much-anticipated LIV Golf Invitational Series.

We discovered that the 51-year-old has requested a release from the PGA Tour to play in the inaugural event at Centurion in June – the report in the Telegraph suggests that he has been paid $30m and, should he miss one, then he would be liable to pay something back into the Saudi kitty or face a possible penalty.

So far we know that Mickelson and journeyman Robert Garrigus have requested releases and there will be plenty more names, big or otherwise, to come. One that keeps popping up is Sergio Garcia. 

All of this comes after Mickelson revealed that his involvement was purely for 'leverage', which then led to an apology and then his subsequent stepping away from the game. In April he missed the Masters where he has three Green Jackets but the door, supposedly, remains open for the popular left-hander.

The big question is whether he will be back to defend his PGA Championship crown at Southern Hills in May and his long-time agent Steve Loy is giving nothing away.

"Phil currently has no concrete plans on when and where he will play," Loy said. "Any actions taken are in no way a reflection of a final decision made, but rather to keep all options open."

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is likely to grant permission to players to play at Centurion – the event is opposite the Canadian Open – but will deny requests for anything clashing with tournaments in North America. Interestingly five of the eight LIV Golf tournaments are set to take place in the States.

On Thursday we saw Mickelson in action for the first time in months when the Fire Pit Collective tweeted a video of the American smashing a driver at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in California, supposedly on the Tuesday.

Rumors of Phil Mickelson’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. He had plenty of speed yesterday at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. pic.twitter.com/N3NhqwEA6v

— Fire Pit Collective (@firepitstories) April 28, 2022