Phil Mickelson Expecting LIV Golf Players To Win DP World Tour Case
Lefty thinks the LIV golf players will win their case to continue playing on the DP World Tour


Phil Mickelson makes his first start of 2023 in Saudi Arabia this week ahead of the LIV Golf League getting underway next month.
Lefty is one of many LIV players teeing it up at the Saudi International, the Asian Tour's flagship event, and he was asked about the dramatic Dubai Desert Classic that concluded on Monday where Rory McIlroy edged out LIV Golf's Patick Reed by a single stroke following a week of controversy between the pair that was dubbed 'teegate'.
"I think that when you have characters in the game, when you have controversy in the game, I think it creates a lot more excitement, a lot more awareness," Phil Mickelson said. "What transpired early in the week with Patrick and Rory added to the excitement level.
"I thought the final round was incredible. Both players played some great golf. Patrick played an incredible final round, and Rory didn't really have his best stuff throughout the day, but he fought hard for the last two to win, and I think that shows a lot about the kind of champion and player he is.
"I thought it was great for the game to have that type of interest, and it's seen interest throughout the globe. That's a really good thing."
A number of other LIV Golf players were in the Dubai field as well as Reed, including Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood, and their futures on the European-based circuit are set to be decided next month at an arbitration panel hearing at Sports Resolutions in London.
Phil Mickelson predicts that the LIV golfers will be successful, which would mean they can continue to play on the DP World Tour and, crucially, earn both world ranking and Ryder Cup points.
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.
"In a couple of weeks I expect that the players, the LIV players, will win their case in the UK, and we'll open the doors for all players to play on the European Tour," Mickelson said.
"There's a very good chance that you'll have more showdowns, more head-to-head competitions like you saw last week in Dubai, and I think that would be a really good thing for the game."
The Saudi International gets underway on Thursday. Harold Varner III defends his title, with two-time winner Dustin Johnson, Open champion Cameron Smith, 2020 US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau and four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka among the many big names.

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Rookie Ingrid Lindblad Seals Maiden LPGA Tour Title In JM Eagle LA Championship
The Swedish star won by one over fellow rookie Akie Iwai at El Caballero Country Club
By Mike Hall
-
Two Weeks After Parting Ways With Max Homa, Caddie Joe Greiner Claims $360,000 Payday Alongside Justin Thomas
Joe Greiner is caddying for Justin Thomas on a temporary basis, and the player’s win at the RBC Heritage has already secured him a big payday
By Mike Hall
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail Postmark
Rory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
By Mike Hall
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His Career
After becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters Victory
Following on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
By Matt Cradock
-
'His Game Is Futureproof' - Padraig Harrington Predicts Talk Of Rory McIlroy Winning '10 To 15 Majors'
The three-time Major winner had nothing but praise for his fellow Ryder Cup player, with Harrington envisaging that McIlroy could carry on at the highest level for a good few years
By Matt Cradock
-
Rory McIlroy's Sports Psychologist Explains Why He 'Didn't Talk' To Bryson DeChambeau In Masters Final Round
DeChambeau raised eyebrows at Augusta National when claiming that McIlroy wouldn't engage in conversation during the final round of The Masters
By Jonny Leighfield
-
'He Won't Stop Striving For Improvement' - Sports Psychologist Believes Rory McIlroy Has The 'Mindset, Focus And Drive' To Carry On Excellent Start To 2025 Season
We spoke to experienced Sports Psychologist, Gareth Shaw, about McIlroy's incredible Masters win and how the five-time Major can push on even further in 2025
By Matt Cradock
-
Emotional Bryson DeChambeau Recreates 'The Shot Of My Life' At Pinehurst No.2 As Plaque Unveiled Day After Masters Charge Fizzles Out
The 2024 US Open champion travelled over to North Carolina a day after watching Rory McIlroy win The Masters to recreate the shot which helped the American down the Northern Irishman at Pinehurst last summer
By Jonny Leighfield