The 5 players who could follow Phil Mickelson in quitting LIV Golf for backroom roles
Phil Mickelson’s recent struggles on the LIV Golf tour have led to speculation that he may soon step away from competitive play and transition into a backroom role. The 54-year-old has hinted that he may need to reassess his playing career if his form doesn’t improve, and he’s not the only LIV Golf member who could be considering a similar move.
Mickelson, a founding member of the Saudi Arabia-funded league, has had a disappointing season, with only one top-10 finish and a current ranking of 44th out of 56 players. Despite his iconic career and six major championships, Mickelson acknowledges that his best days on the course may be behind him.
“I see glimpses and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level, but I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to, I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels,” Mickelson said.
Mickelson’s potential move into a backroom role could see him become a non-playing captain and general manager of his team, the HyFlyers, which he also owns an equity stake in. This would allow him to remain involved with the team and the league while focusing on building a sustainable culture and developing young talent.
However, Mickelson is not the only LIV Golf member who could be considering a similar transition. Here are five players who could potentially follow in his footsteps:
1. Bubba Watson: The 45-year-old has had a dreadful season and has looked a shadow of the player who won The Masters in 2012 and 2014. As captain and part-owner of the Range Goats team, Watson is in a similar situation to Mickelson and may need to consider stepping aside if his form doesn’t improve.
2. Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Henrik Stenson: The Majesticks trio has had a rough year, with Westwood being the best of the three, sitting at 34th place in the standings. Poulter and Stenson are hovering just above the drop zone, and if they have another tough season, backroom roles could be a topic of discussion with the league’s bosses.
3. Dustin Johnson: The 40-year-old still has a lot left in the tank, but his performances have been inconsistent, and he may need to consider transitioning into a backroom role if he wants to remain involved with the league.
These players, like Mickelson, have all had stellar careers, but they have passed their peak, and if they have another tough season, they may need to consider alternative roles within the league. Regardless of their form, they are all assets to the league, and their experience and knowledge could be invaluable in developing the next generation of golfers.