Phil Mickelson hints at major LIV Golf change at Masters

Phil Mickelson has claimed he “wouldn’t be surprised” if LIV Golf makes a significant change to its format after the Masters.

Just last week, Jon Rahm claimed the Saudi-backed breakaway league could improve by increasing from 54 to traditional 72-hole tournaments.

And speaking after his final round 74 left him eight-over for the week at Augusta National, Mickelson has hinted that the change could soon be introduced.

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“I wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of LIV events went to 72,” the three-time Masters winner said. “I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. I enjoy the competition.”

Mickelson, 53, also refuted the suggestion that he is benefitting from one less round during the twilight of his illustrious career.

“I’m not sure because it’s more of a sprint,” he said. “You have to play well the first day or you’re so far behind that it’s hard to catch up, whereas in 72 you can kind of work your way into the tournament and fight if you don’t have it the first day, fight to keep it around par then make up ground. It could go either way. It’s just the nuances of a different format.”

Rahm had claimed before his Masters defence that LIV should move to 72 holes.

“If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes I think it would help all of this argument a lot,” the Spaniard told BBC Sport.

“The closer I think we can get LIV Golf to some other things the better. I think it would be for some kind of unification to feed into a world tour or something like that.

“I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I definitely wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes.”

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LIV has prided itself on its unique 54-hole format since its inception in 2022 and commissioner Greg Norman, who has been among the patrons at the Masters this week, is yet to comment on whether such a change could be made.

But while Rahm wants a move to his more familiar 72-hole format, it’s fair to assume that the addition of an extra day’s play wouldn’t be universally popular on the circuit.

Talor Gooch, LIV’s individual champion in 2023, offered an alternative take on the debate back in December.

“I think LIV Golf was meant to be something different; I think it’s not supposed to be a carbon copy of the rest of professional golf. I lean towards keeping it at 54 holes,” Gooch said. “Part of it too, from my experience on the PGA Tour, was Thursdays are just irrelevant from a fan perspective [except for] only a couple times a year.

“I think the majors absolutely should be four rounds, but I don’t necessarily think everything else should be four rounds.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.