Phil Mickelson ignores LIV Golf blow with Middle | Golf News

LIV Golf is set to lose its Saudi funding at the end of 2026, yet moderately than addressing the uncertainty surrounding the league’s future, Phil Mickelson selected to direct his consideration toward California’s fuel insurance policies.

The six-time major champion responded to a coverage update from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, sidestepping the mounting questions about the tour he helped construct. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is scheduled to withdraw its financial backing following the 2026 season, bringing an end to more than $5 billion in help.

As the tour actively seeks new buyers to maintain operations past 2027, the HyFlyers GC captain and LIV figurehead has remained publicly silent on the looming financial shift — opting instead to weigh in on oil manufacturing.

“No more oil from the Middle East, skyrocketing gas prices, highest gas tax in the nation, jet fuel shortage, national security threat from CA’s policies, and marine life destruction from the largest natural seepage in the world,” Mickelson wrote. “This is equivalent to the guy drowning trying to drown the guy saving him. The epitome of incompetent leadership right here.”

The response garnered vital consideration, notably given that Mickelson’s involvement with a Saudi-backed league had been a point of interest of criticism since the league’s launch.

Fans had been fast to spotlight the contradiction, with one commenter noting he was talking as somebody who “fled to play in a league that is funded by Middle East oil blood money.”

Others raised questions about whether or not he would return to aggressive play anytime soon. Some golf followers went even additional, suggesting he contemplate a profession in politics, though a PGA Tour comeback could be off the desk ought to LIV stop operations.

LIV is reportedly hemorrhaging around $75 million per month. While there’s some investor curiosity in backing particular person groups, the group’s total construction is struggling to secure the same stage of financial dedication.

Leading captains, including Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, had been reportedly among the first to be informed about the anticipated funding withdrawal, forward of other gamers. Several of LIV’s greatest stars had already turned down alternatives to return to the PGA Tour before the league’s financial troubles grew to become public data.

DeChambeau is reportedly pursuing a new $500 million deal, while uncertainty continues to encompass contract clauses for gamers such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.

Some of LIV’s top expertise has begun quietly exploring various choices, with a number of reaching out to the DP World Tour as a potential security internet ought to the PGA Tour’s Returning Player Program show too troublesome to navigate.