Phil Mickelson: 'There's no stopping LIV Golf now'

Phil Mickelson. Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Mickelson's latest comments show confidence in LIV Golf

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 4/26/23

Suffice it to say, LIV Golf's contingent of pros are feeling pretty good about themselves after last weekend's event in Australia where the breakaway golf league sold out tickets and drew record crowds.

Of course, there is speculation that Greg Norman's pull in his home country has a lot to do with that crowd size. But according to Phil Mickelson, last weekend's event in Adelaide is a sign that LIV Golf has completely turned the corner.

"It was a big step in Adelaide, showing what LIV Golf can be," Mickelson told reporters on Wednesday ahead of this weekend's event in Singapore. "It's just going to take off from here. There's no stopping LIV Golf now.

"It's on a vertical trajectory and it's pretty exciting to be a part of it."

Phil Mickelson is extremely bullish after the Adelaide event.

“There’s no stopping LIV Golf now, it’s on a vertical trajectory and it’s really exciting to be a part of it.” pic.twitter.com/HgNX3gMXg7
— LIV Golf Latest (@LIVGolfLatest) April 26, 2023

The large crowds in Adelaide were perhaps the first sign that LIV Golf is gaining interest globally. The draw, Mickelson explained, is due to the personalities of the players on the rogue golf circuit.

"Let's face it, LIV has the most characters -- some of the best players as well as some of the best characters in the game," he said. "Whether you love them or hate them, they're interesting and people want to watch."

Naturally, the next step will be to see if the Saudi Arabia-funded league starts getting that same reception in different countries -- specifically at home. Viewership in the States still hasn't gotten a significant bump as many fans haven't forgotten that Norman's golf league is funded by a country with a horrifying human rights record. If upcoming events don't draw the same crowds and attention as Adelaide, what does that say about LIV Golf's trajectory then?

It's worth it to stay tuned, even if it's just to see if Mickelson's comments hold up.

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