[Inside Chodong] Mickelson and Woods: Diverging Choices

Mickelson Pursues Practical Gains with LIV Golf Backing
Woods Stands by the PGA Tour, Choosing Principle Over Money

Phil Mickelson (left) and Tiger Woods are taking different paths regarding LIV Golf.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "A moment's choice determines the next 10 years."

This was an advertising slogan of a certain home appliance company in the 1980s. It meant that since a purchase is used for a long time, one must be careful. In the golf world, there are two superstars walking different paths. They are Phil Mickelson, the "oldest major champion," and Tiger Woods, the "Golf Emperor" (both from the United States). They have been the "twin pillars" leading the world men's golf scene. They chose different approaches regarding LIV Golf, supported by the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund.

Mickelson chose practicality. He put aside the reputation he built on the PGA Tour and became a "promotional ambassador" for LIV Golf. Mickelson especially criticized the PGA Tour, calling it "too greedy," and said, "The launch of LIV Golf will create an opportunity for players to be better treated." However, he faced backlash. Although he quickly apologized for the "inappropriate expression," he had already become a "public enemy." KPMG immediately terminated their contract, followed by major sponsors such as Workday and Amstel withdrawing one after another.

Until then, Mickelson was recognized as Woods' rival. In May last year, he became the first 50-something major champion at the PGA Championship, accumulating a total of 45 wins including six major titles. If he had won the US Open, where he finished runner-up six times, he could have achieved the sixth "career Grand Slam" in global golf history, but moving to LIV Golf made that an unattainable dream.

Mickelson had a good image. His exceptional family love earned him American fans surpassing Woods. When his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, he wore a "pink ribbon," symbolizing a prevention campaign, and when surgery was decided, he immediately left the tour to stay by her side. During the 2013 US Open, he made news by flying 3,800 km to San Diego a day before the opening to attend his eldest daughter Amanda's elementary school graduation, showing his paternal love.

Mickelson was hampered by money issues. In 2013, he was criticized after saying he wanted to move from his hometown California to Florida, where taxes are lower. In 2014, he was investigated by the FBI for "insider stock trading." There were also claims that he lost $40 million (53.5 billion KRW) gambling from 2010 to 2014. Mickelson said, "Gambling was part of my life. I was ashamed," but emphasized, "I did not move to LIV Golf because of gambling debts."

On the other hand, Woods stood at the center of the PGA Tour. With 15 major wins and a total of 82 victories, the most in history, he is the "living history of the PGA." LIV Golf made efforts to recruit Woods, betting nearly 1 trillion KRW. Greg Norman (Australia), head of LIV Golf, revealed, "We offered Woods between $700 million and $800 million, but he refused to join LIV Golf."

Woods chose honor over practicality. He pointed out, "Players who moved to the LIV Golf series have turned their backs on the place that made them who they are today." As Woods defended the PGA Tour, LIV Golf's momentum has also slowed. Woods, along with Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), created "TMRW Sports" to support the PGA Tour. It is an expression of his determination to stay with the PGA Tour, where he built his golf career, until the end.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.