Inside the PGA and LIV Golf talks: What’s next after Mickelson’s revelation?
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesAikansh ChaudharyFri, January 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC·3 min read
A recent revelation by Phil Mickelson about his reaction to being left out of initial plans for PGA Tour returning members has reignited conversations around ongoing talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
Mickelson’s candid response has highlighted how unresolved issues between the two circuits continue to shape the future of professional golf, even as players and organisers cautiously explore paths forward.
The divide between the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit and the established PGA Tour has been one of the biggest storylines in golf since 2022.
Mickelson was among the first high-profile players to join LIV, a move that was controversial and reshaped the sport’s landscape, influencing other major names to follow or remain with their tours.
Mickelson’s latest remarks underscore that negotiations and strategic planning between the two sides are still evolving, with implications for player movement and the structure of elite competition.
Photo by Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesPhil Mickelson’s revelation shines light on PGA and LIV Golf tensions
Phil Mickelson responded publicly after being excluded from early outlines of the PGA Tour’s returning member program, which was introduced to allow some former LIV Golf members to rejoin the PGA Tour under specific conditions.
These remarks highlighted the ongoing sensitivity between the two circuits and reminded fans that the schism in golf is far from fully resolved.
Mickelson’s unique perspective as one of the first stars to switch to the Saudi-backed tour has drawn renewed attention to how negotiations are unfolding and what it might mean for players, sponsors, and fans moving forward.
Mickelson’s stance reflects broader uncertainties about how members of both tours perceive the current landscape.
While some have embraced staying in LIV Golf, others have shown interest in returning under certain terms, illustrating how the sport’s elite remain divided over where they see their careers headed.
The continuing tension shows that golf’s biggest names and most influential stakeholders are still weighing their options in what has become a defining chapter in the game’s modern history.
The revelation comes at a pivotal moment when both organisations are navigating an uneasy coexistence and negotiating potential paths forward.
The PGA Tour’s “Returning Member Program” allowed players such as Brooks Koepka to rejoin while facing penalties, but others like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith have publicly reaffirmed their commitments to LIV Golf, rejecting the offer to return under current terms.
That division underscores how complex and individually influenced these decisions are, and it continues to shape negotiations on both sides.
At the same time, the 2026 LIV Golf League season is approaching with new developments, including changes in roster and event format, as the circuit pushes to grow its global profile and secure Official World Golf Ranking points.
Meanwhile, discussions remain in the background about a potential long-term partnership or revised framework that could allow the best players to compete more regularly together across both tours.
Earlier proposals have included a combined commercial rights venture backed by major investors, indicating that leaders on both sides have not ruled out more integrated models for the future of professional golf.
In the short term, the deadline for players eligible to use the PGA Tour’s rejoining program places additional pressure on key decisions, and the responses from top golfers will influence how negotiations evolve.
For now, it appears that both circuits will continue operating under separate banners while exploring incremental steps toward greater cooperation, or at least coexistence, that benefits players, sponsors, and fans of the sport.
Read More: How Shane Lowry and Sergio Garcia responded to Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour
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