Phil Mickelson cracks joke about the majors during LIV Golf broadcast appearance

Phil Mickelson appeared back to his best as he made an impromptu visit to the commentary booth during LIV Golf's season finale in Miami.

Ben Smith

31 Oct 2022

Phil Mickelson cracks joke about the majors during LIV Golf broadcast appearance — Phil Mickelson cracks joke about the majors during LIV Golf broadcast…

Phil Mickelson hopped into the commentary booth during the LIV Golf season finale at Trump National Doral and it was a glimpse of the Lefty of old.

When Mickelson returned to the spotlight earlier this year after almost torching the breakaway tour before it even began he was - in this writer's opinion - a shadow of his former self.

He simply refused to open up, which is more than understandable considering the circumstances.

Mickelson chose to simply ignore questions about his standing with the PGA Tour and used the words "respect" and "empathise" repeatedly when facing the inevitable questions about sportswashing.

But in recent weeks we have been starting to see the Phil we are ever so familiar with. "I'm on the winning side," Mickelson told us before further showing he was back to his chirpy self by admitting he probably shouldn't have said that.

Mickelson's appearance in the booth on Sunday was apparently without warning. And it was everything you'd expect from a buoyant Mickelson.

He cracked jokes, told stories and marvelled at Cameron Smith's putting, his golf swing...heck, he just marvelled at Cameron Smith in general.

He said of the 150th Open Champion:

"I love watching Cam Smith swing a golf club. He is my favorite player to watch right now because he is a swinger of the club. He's not really a hitter. He swings the club with such beautiful rhythm. What I get out of it is if you watch how stable his body stays, his head and everything stays so stable while he swings the club, it's beautiful to watch. When I have a chance to watch him play, it's special."

Mickelson also talked up what to expect when he returns to LIV Golf in 2023, where the breakaway tour will be rebranded to the LIV Golf League.

The six-time major champion will once again be the team captain of the Hy Flyers as they participate 14 tournaments.

But Mickelson will be playing in 18 events, apparently:

"I've put on a couple of pounds as the year has gone on and I've got to get after it and really get ready because we are going to play 14 events... plus the majors and that's a lot of golf."

Phil Mickelson joins the LIV broadcast today: "Next year we're gonna play 14 events, plus ... "
[pauses, knocks on table]
"the majors." pic.twitter.com/kf3uCel9Ef
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) October 30, 2022