Phil Mickelson 'optimistic' golf moving in right direction

Phil Mickelson believes golf is headed in the right direction.

In his first public comments since the announced merger of the PGA Tour and the breakaway LIV Golf circuit on Wednesday, Mickelson painted an optimistic picture.

"Going forward, we're all very optimistic about where the game of golf, professional golf specifically, is headed," Mickelson said. "Also, a lot of the changes that have been made because of LIV were all very (appreciated), both on the LIV Tour as well as the PGA Tour, and we're happy for the guys out there that they're having some positive changes there, as well."

Speaking to reporters at a news conference Wednesday ahead of the LIV Golf event in Spain, Mickelson said that the stunning June 6 alliance between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudia Arabia's Public Investment Fund was ahead of schedule.

"I would say I felt appreciation that we got to this point where we're working together because it makes me confident with where the game of golf is headed in the future," Mickelson said. "We felt like it was going to be about two years roughly before we got to that point. It took a year and a half or six months quicker than I thought it would be."

Final plans for integrating the rival golf leagues are still being hammered out.

LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman told his players that the circuit is making plans for the 2024 season and beyond.

"Everything over the last couple of years that we've been told by Greg and everybody on LIV has come to fruition, so we have a lot of confidence in what they have been saying to us," Mickelson said. "We don't really feel the need to publicly posture our position. There's really no need for us to talk about things publicly but to just let it play out."

Mickelson, 53, was asked about returning to the PGA Tour, where he won 45 tournaments and became one of the world's most popular players.

"Rather than saying yes or no, I know that from a player experience, all of the difficulties and challenges and things that take a lot of excessive energy and output throughout the week have been fixed at LIV," the six-time major winner said. "So the player experience here is incredible. I just can't envision a better scenario for me as a player than playing out here on LIV."

LIV Golf's Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia also expressed excitement and confidence in the sport's direction on Wednesday.

"I'm excited for the future," Johnson said in Spain. "I think with this agreement, the only thing that's going to happen is LIV is going to get even better than what it is now, which it's already great. I'm happy exactly where I am, and I'm definitely not looking to play more golf than I'm playing now, that's for sure."

Garcia said he was "very confident" the LIV Golf circuit will continue in 2024.

"I mean, that's what I can see," he said. "That's all I can say. I think we're in a good spot. I think there's a lot of details that are not finalized yet, and there's a lot of speculation. But I think it's going to be a great deal for everyone, and I don't expect us to not be here next year."