Phil Mickelson Claims PGA Tour Turned Down $1 billion Elevated Events Deal
Phil Mickelson says the PGA Tour rejected a $1 billion deal he brokered for elevated events as they thought LIV Golf was no threat


Phil Mickelson says he brought a $1 billion sponsor and a plan for eight elevated events to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan before he joined LIV Golf, but had the idea dismissed.
Many of the new changes on the PGA Tour are things that Mickelson had been championing, such as the Player Impact Program (PIP), big increases in prize money and now the new elevated events, which will become small-field, no-cut tournaments next year.
The six-time Major champion saw the threat of Greg Norman’s LIV Golf as a bargaining chip to bring about change, saying last year: “As nice a guy as (Monahan) comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won’t do what’s right. And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage”.
Mickelson had tried to use the threat of LIV Golf as leverage to force Monahan into similar changes before he left to join Greg Norman’s outfit – but was shut down by the PGA Tour chief.
Before I left I brought a $1 billion commitment from a current PGATour partner to have 8 elevated events and give equity and ownership in these events to the players. JM’s quote was “ I don’t believe the league is going to happen so we won’t be doing that.” No vote,no discussionMarch 7, 2023
The 52-year-old claimed on Twitter that he had found a sponsor willing to stump up $1 billion to fund eight elevated events, with the players getting a stake in the tournaments, but says Monahan rejected the proposals as he thought LIV Golf would never take off.
“Before I left I brought a $1 billion commitment from a current PGA Tour partner to have 8 elevated events and give equity and ownership in these events to the players,” Mickelson wrote on Twitter.
“JM’s quote was “ I don’t believe the league is going to happen so we won’t be doing that.” No vote, no discussion.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
While some will doubt whether this claim is true or not, the sentiment of change being forced through by LIV certainly holds true, as the speed and size of the changes by the PGA Tour prove that they could well have been made sooner.
The likes of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm have admitted that the emergence of LIV Golf has forced the PGA Tour to have a re-think and the results have been to make changes Mickelson would have very much welcomed before he joined LIV.
Many LIV Golf players have pointed out the irony in the PGA Tour changes mirroring what their company does on a regular basis, and you do wonder whether if Mickelson would have achieved even some of the changes he wanted whether it would have actually taken off in the first place.
What cannot be argued against is the monumental impact LIV Golf has had on the game, even if it has come at a cost with the sport split into factions that at the moment show no desire or capability of healing the rifts that now exist.

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Hye-Jin Choi Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Hye-Jin Choi had a glittering amateur career, and she’s taken that into her professional journey, with a host of wins – here are 10 things to know about her
By Mike Hall
-
Yan Liu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Yan Liu has been making solid progress in her professional career – here are 10 things to know about the LPGA Tour golfer
By Mike Hall
-
Tiger Woods Heads 8 Golfers To Make All Time Rich List Of Top 50 Highest Paid Athletes
Tiger Woods is the second highest paid athlete of all time behind only Michael Jordan in a new top 50 rich list from Sportico
By Paul Higham
-
Masters Champions Detail What Rory McIlroy Has To Do To Buck The Trend And Win At Augusta At His 17th Attempt
Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia have detailed what Rory McIlroy has to do to finally win The Masters at what will be his 17th attempt
By Paul Higham
-
Sergio Garcia Secures Double Victory At LIV Golf Hong Kong As Phil Mickelson Outlines Major Aspirations Following Best LIV Finish
Sergio Garcia triumphed by one stroke at Hong Kong Golf Club while helping his Fireballs GC to a narrow win in the team competition
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Two 5-Irons, Two Drivers And His 2013 Open-Winning Hybrid - 6 Fascinating Things From Phil Mickelson’s Equipment Setup
Phil Mickelson had some eye-catching club selections as he displayed what will be in his bag for the 2025 season
By Paul Higham
-
Phil Mickelson Makes LIV Golf League Return After Injury
Mickelson had missed the season opener in Riyadh due to a shoulder injury, but was spotted on the course in Adelaide as he makes his return to LIV Golf
By Matt Cradock
-
Phil Mickelson Pulls Out Of LIV Golf Opening Event With Injury
The HyFlyers GC captain revealed he won't be present in Riyadh after sustaining a 'minor shoulder injury' preparing for LIV's first event of 2025
By Matt Cradock
-
Phil Mickelson Gives His Verdict On LIV Golf's TV Deal
Phil Mickelson says LIV Golf is the only global golf brand as he celebrated the big TV deal with FOX Sports he hopes will help the team golf tour really kick on
By Paul Higham
-
Phil Mickelson’s LIV Golf Team Signs With Grant Horvat’s Apparel Company
Primo - partially owned by influencer, Grant Horvat - has been designated as the “official golf apparel sponsor” of Phil Mickelson's HyFlyers GC
By Jonny Leighfield