The McIlroy v Mickelson feud is back on golf's agenda after Rory McIlroy took a swipe at Phil Mickelson yesterday after some damaging allegations about Phil's gambling addiction surfaced.
Rory McIlroy and Mickelson are two of the best golfers of the past 50 years and they've have shared a unique rivalry which has become personal in recent years.
Two Ryder Cup rivals have become opposition leaders in the PGA/LIV dispute. Here's a look back at the origin of the tensions between the golfers, and how the beef has evolved over the past decade.
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How Did The Rory McIlroy v Phil Mickelson Feud Start
The tensions between the pair go back at least as far as the preparations for the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland. when McIlroy, the #1 golfer in the world, found himself embroiled in controversy with his fellow Northern Irish golf pro and Ryder Cup teammate Graeme McDowell.
The controversy arose over a legal battle between McIlroy and his former management group Horizon Sports (who also repped G-MAC). The dispute was eventually settled on the steps of the High Court. However, Phil Mickelson was less than sympathetic towards the pair when he took aim at their legal troubles.
Speaking in the run-up to the Cup, Mickelson was asked about the infamous rumours that the Americans struggle to play as a team to which, donning a cheeky smile he replied:
Well, not only are we able to play together, we also don’t litigate against each other and that’s a real plus, I feel, heading into this week
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LIV Golf adds fuel to the burning fire
While the Ryder Cup may have ignited the fire, LIV Golf added much fuel, with the feud taking up a complete life of its own and even McIlroy admitting that at times it got too personal.
An ageing Mickelson became the first high-profile golfer to defect to the Saudi Arabia-backed league in 2022, with some reports claiming he received $200m to join LIV. Tensions became extreme between both camps, as McIlroy assumed something like the role of de facto PGA commissioner. There were a number of spats between McIlroy and Mickelson in the summer of 2022. The dislike was obvious in the Netflix golf series Full Swing.
When the final episode took us inside the privacy of the player's physio room where American Football was being discussed, somebody revealed that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was a PGA Tour fan, McIlroy chimed in with this sly dig.
Yeah but he’s a PM fan so I don’t know...
If that was the slight dig, somebody else in the room saying 'sounds like this guy is losing credibility' was the only prompt McIlroy needed to go all in, saying:
Fuck You Phil! I hope that makes it in.
A dig towards Rory McIlroy on Twitter after the 2023 Masters
After McIlroy's woeful performance at the 2023 Masters, Mickelson couldn't resist a swipe over Twitter. This came after McIlroy said he thought PGA Tour golfers needed a larger off-season, with Mickelson jokingly suggesting McIlroy should make the move to LIV. if anyone was willing to put up with his 'bs'.
As worn out as Mclroy was after the Masters and his need for an off season, LIV would be perfect for him. Problem is I don’t think there’s a team that wants him on it because they’d have to deal with all his bs.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) June 3, 2023
Mickelson later clarified that every team except his would obviously want the four-time major champion, a testament to just how tense their relationship, or lack thereof, has become.
Ryder Cup dig
On Thursday night, it was McIlroy taking aim at the Californian over recent allegations that Mickelson had wanted to bet $400,000 on the 2012 Ryder Cup, better known in Europe as the 'Miracle at Medinah'
Speaking at the St. Jude Championship this week, McIlroy was quick to remind Mickelson that he'd be allowed bet on this year's Ryder Cup because he wouldn't be playing in it. That is partly down to Mickelson's move to LIV, meaning he's only been able to accrue Ryder Cup qualification points through the four majors but not any other sanctioned event.
At least he can bet on the Ryder Cup this year because he won't be a part of it.
There is no love lost between Rory McIlroy & Phil Mickelson 💀 pic.twitter.com/N4jumh0QjL
— Rory Tracker (@RoryTrackr) August 10, 2023
The smile after the dig tells you everything you need to know about McIlroy's feelings towards Phil. Over to you, Lefty.
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