"You can't have change without disruption": Mickelson defends LIV Golf ahead of Singapore event
LIV Golf returns once again this week, this time teeing it up in Singapore. The event will have a lot to live up to after last week's tournament Down Under that saw some phenomenal golf, including a truly memorable hole-in-one on The Watering Hole.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of this week's event, major winner and captain of the Hy Flyers GC team Phil Mickelson, spoke out in defence of the fledgling tour.
Asked about how he's been dealing with criticism that the new tour has faced since its launch last year, Mickelson replied: "I knew it was going to be a part of it. You can't have change without disruption, and I think in the end, it will all work itself out, and it's going to all be a really good thing in the long-term."
He went on to say, "As people experience LIV, they are enjoying the different way of presenting golf in a much more fun, vibrant energy. Now that people see what it can be, they're wanting to be a part of it, and it's just growing from there."
After the fantastic reception Adelaide gave LIV Golf last week, Mickelson believes it was another giant step forward for the tour: "It was a big step to showcase what the potential is for LIV throughout the world, and we've had a lot of interest now from other countries, other golf courses, other cities that want to be a part of it because of that, and now that they see the potential, I think it's just going to take off even more."
Currently LIV Golf players do not receive official world ranking points and the debate over whether they should continues to rage. Asked about the topic, Mickelson replied: "If the World Golf Rankings doesn't find a way to be inclusive, then the majors will just find another way to include LIV because it's no longer a credible way. So it will all iron itself out for the simple reason that it's in the best interest of everybody, especially the tournaments, the majors, to have the best players."
As for his chances this week, Mickelson is clearly feeling good about being back in Singapore and playing on this course again: "There's a lot of things I love about this, going back to when it was the Barclays Singapore Open and coming here and playing here. I really love everything about it. I feel really good when I get here."
LIV Golf Singapore starts Friday 28 April and for everything from tee times to how to watch, check out our extensive preview.
