“Don’t see how it’s any of the concern of the PGA,” Phil Mickelson hopes LIV players be given spot at Ryder Cup
Following the impressive performances of Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson insists that LIV players from America should be given a spot at the Ryder Cup.
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Phil Mickelson [Image Credit: Golf Channel]
The conclusion of the PGA Championship saw, Brooks Koepka, a LIV golfer, emerge victorious. The 33-year-old golfer became the first LIV player to win a major championship. His performance at the Oak Hill County Club has now raised questions regarding the Ryder Cup.
Golf veteran Phil Mickelson has now suggested that it would be unfair for the likes of Koepka and Dustin Johnson to miss out on participation in this year’s tournament. The players swore allegiance to LIV Golf after defecting from the professional PGA Tour last summer. The world of golf was left in shock when the announcement of the LIV league was made.
The Saudi-backed league founded by Greg Norman, has since then become a point of various debates. The rise of Koepka at the PGA Championship was seen by all. Mickelson now believes that players like him and others should be allowed to represent the US at the Ryder Cup.
According to a report from the Guardian, several American players are now hoping the duo could be a part of their squad. US Captain Zack Johnson now finds himself in a serious position of concern. The animosity between the two leagues and the legal battles of LIV puts him in a tricky situation.
Mickelson stated that he doesn’t see how changing Ryder Cup will benefit anyone. He further questioned how it’s “any of the concern of the PGA of America”. Although it’s Mickelson’s personal opinion, it does carry weight, the golfer commented after a closing round of 70 on Sunday.
He later made it clear that he will not be joining the team if given the chance to do so. He recalled his former memories of the tournament and stated he was happy with the way it went.
Zack Johnson yet to make a decision regarding team members at the Ryder Cup
Being the team captain is one of the biggest responsibilities in the world. A person with good leadership skills with a knack for understanding what is right and wrong is often selected to lead the charge. This year the responsibility of being the captain of the US Team at the Ryder Cup has fallen to Zack Johnson. He will surely be under the radar of many as the US team hopes to bring the cup home this year.
When asked about his picks for the team, Johnson was quick to dismiss the topic. He feels this is not the right time to discuss and dissect any of these things. He showed his great sense of knowledge by smartly avoiding a question based on LIV players.
“The guys that are on the PGA Tour that make the team, they have direct ownership in that collectively. So for me to stand here and say that I would feel comfortable or uncomfortable with it would be selfish on my behalf because it’s not my team,” Johnson said in his response. He further claimed that he has not spoken to anybody he trusts about this topic.
The Ryder Cup this year will take place in Rome. The event will commence on September 29 and conclude on October 1. There is still time for the captains to make a choice about the players they want in their team. Will Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, and a few other LIV be a part of the US team remains to be seen.
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Vinay Dave
(1764 Articles Published)