Subsequent month’s Champions Dinner on the Masters simply bought a complete lot tastier with Phil Mickelson accusing Fred {Couples} of pulling off a “low class jerk transfer” for his feedback on LIV star Brooks Koepka.
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Earlier this week, {Couples} mentioned in a US radio interview that Koepka “actually desires to return again” to the PGA Tour shortly after the five-time main champion made a shock go to to TGL, the brand new indoor golf league that includes lots of the PGA Tour’s largest stars.
“I talked to Brooks Koepka on a regular basis. I like Brooks Koepka, and I’m not going to say something further besides I talked to him on a regular basis,” {Couples} mentioned.
“He desires to return again. I’ll say that I imagine he actually desires to return again and play the Tour.”
Koepka joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf for a reported US$100 million in 2022 however hypothesis has been rife that the 34-year-old has been pissed off by the shortage of enjoying alternatives within the 14-event per 12 months league.
Mickelson, who was one of many first excessive profile names to hitch LIV, was displeased by {Couples}’ feedback, sharing his anger in a since deleted submit on X.
“If it’s not true, he broken a relationship which he cares about,” Mickelson wrote. “If it’s true he took away Brook’s management of the timeline and narrative. Both method it is a low class jerk transfer by Fred.”
Mickelson’s feedback will not be the primary time he and {Couples} have been embroiled in a slanging match.
The latter has been a staunch defender of the PGA Tour and referred to as Mickelson a “nutbag” again in 2023, however added the caveat that he seen the leftie as one of many ten greatest golfers of all time and mentioned he “nonetheless” likes his former Ryder Cup teammate
{Couples}’ primary concern was with how a lot Mickelson was paid to hitch the breakaway league contemplating the 54-year-old is undeniably not the identical participant he as soon as was.
“For those who’re keen to provide Phil Mickelson $200 million at age 53 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you,” {Couples} mentioned.
{Couples}’ Koepka feedback got here as hypothesis has intensified in latest occasions {that a} merger is nearing between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Funding Fund, largely because of the White Home conferences involving US President Donald Trump.
However PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan implored golf followers to chill their jets when talking on Tuesday, saying that whereas progress is being made in a deal, it won’t come within the rapid future.
“I’m not going to get into any conversations that I did or didn’t have with gamers on LIV,” Monahan mentioned when requested whether or not LIV gamers had been in contact concerning their choices.
“I’m centered on the gamers which are on the PGA Tour. It takes all of my power and my group’s power to ensure that we’re persevering with to enhance and strengthen the PGA Tour and doing so within the eyes of followers. In the end, that query goes to be answered by means of the conversations that we’re having with the PIF.”
There had been reviews of LIV Golfers probably returning to the PGA Tour at subsequent week’s The Gamers Championship, however that all the time appeared unlikely contemplating LIV Singapore will probably be performed on the similar time.