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Phil Mickelson insists he is ‘extremely happy’ that rival PGA Tour players have seen huge increases to prize money in the wake of LIV Golf threat… despite changes HE campaigned for only coming into force after his defection
- The PGA has increased prize money and implemented guaranteed salaries
- And Phil Mickelson is happy that his former colleagues are getting paid
- But he believes all players should be ‘appreciative’ of what LIV is doing
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Following the sweeping changes announced by the PGA Tour last week, Phil Mickelson has expressed his satisfaction with the increased compensation for his former colleagues.
Starting in 2023, golfers who compete in at least 15 events will make $500,000 in guaranteed salary, while four more ‘elevated’ events have been added, bringing the total in that category to 12 – with purses between $15 million and $20 million.
Additionally, the pool for the ‘player impact program’ – described by the Tour as the 20 players who ‘resonate the most with fans and media’ – was doubled to $100 million.
Phil Mickelson campaigned for increased pay for golfers while on the PGA Tour
As part of the changes, top players have also agreed to compete in at least 20 events next season, a compromise which Mickelson believes is fair.
‘Well, they are getting a lot for it [playing in more events], he told SI.com.
‘So I’m extremely happy that the top players are being listened to and that their input is being valued. And that those events are coming about.’
Mickelson, who played on the Tour for 30 years, campaigned extensively for pay increases before ultimately deciding to join LIV earlier this year.
And while he concluded that the changes he sought were not happening on the Tour, he now believes that rival LIV is improving conditions for golfers across the board.
‘All players should be appreciative of what LIV is doing. The players on LIV for the opportunity they are getting. And the PGA Tour for the leverage that was provided to get these changes done.’
Mickelson officially joined the Saudi-backed LIV in June, reportedly for a guaranteed salary of more than $200 million.
Other top golfers like Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau were also successfully wooed with nine-figure deals, and LIV has also shaken up the sport with shotgun starts and team formats.
On the Tour, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have been among the most vocal stars, both in criticizing LIV and advocating for changes in their own league.
And ahead of the BMW Championship in Wilmington, Delaware, the pair led a discussion among other golfers about the future of the Tour.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have led efforts of late to bring changes to the PGA Tour
According to SI.com, players discussed adding more tournaments with $20 million purses, and potentially planned to take these ideas to PGA commissioner Jay Monahan.
Despite the positive changes that have occurred on the Tour, however, it seems like Mickelson is more than satisfied with his new employer.
‘I’m very happy with the fluidity of LIV,’ said Mickelson, who expressed confidence he’d be able to play in the Masters next year.
‘Their ability to listen and implement ideas at a very quick rate is exciting to me. I’m really happy with where things are headed.’