Phil Mickelson accuses PGA Tour events of making him 'anxious,' lauds LIV Golf for providing a better experience

Phil Mickelson has pointed out the differences in his experience on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The veteran golfer played on the PGA Tour for many years, before making the switch to LIV in 2022.

According to Mickelson's statement from a press conference (as shared by Flushing It Golf on X), he sometimes would face "anxiousness" going into PGA Tour events. Lefty also admitted that he used to arrive late to Tour events as a result.

"I would just say that I used to have anxiousness going to a (PGA) Tour event with all the details and things that would go on. I would be anxious and not want to go. I'd go as late as I could."

However, Mickelson praised the Saudi PIF-backed golf league for giving him a much better experience. He said:

"At a LIV event, I can't wait to get here. I come earlier. I can't wait to get here. The experience from a player's standpoint, it's better than I could have ever imagined."

Phil Mickelson was one of the popular PGA Tour players who made the switch to LIV Golf back in 2022. Since then, he has also faced criticism from PGA Tour fans for his move.

However, Mickelson's resentment against the Tour has been constant throughout. Their feud saw a new horizon when the PGA Tour banned Wesley Bryan for participating in The Duels: Miami. Mickelson was incensed by the move and even called for the US Department of Justice to intervene in this matter.

Over the years, Mickelson has often voiced his criticism of the Tour over different matters.

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When Phil Mickelson slammed the PGA Tour after Jay Monahan's comment

Back in May 2025, Rory McIlroy faced some criticism after skipping the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield. However, Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan defended the Northern Irishman, claiming that the Tour model allows golfers to select their own schedules.

Phil Mickelson was quick to chip in and questioned the "beauty" of the Tour model as Monahan had stated. The HyFlyers GC captain wrote in the comment section of Flushing It Golf's post on X:

"“The beauty of our model” ... It’s why the pga tour won’t ever be able to move throughout the world, why sponsors don’t know what they are buying, why fans haven’t seen all best compete against each other consistently for decades, and why no other sport successfully uses this model."

Apart from aiming criticism at the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson has also voiced his disapproval of some of Jay Monahan's decisions on different issues.