PHIL MICKELSON has blasted former Masters champion Fred Couples in a now-deleted social media post.
It came after Couples suggested that Brooks Koepka wanted to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour.
Phil Mickelson, front, blasted a Masters winner for comments made about the future of Brooks Koepka. back[/caption]
Fred Couples was branded a ‘low-class jerk’ by Mickelson after claiming Koepka wanted to leave LIV[/caption]
Koepka, 34, has made no secret of wanting to play in select PGA Tour events.
However, the five-time majors winner can’t do that at the moment due to his membership with Saudi-backed LIV golf, who he joined in 2022 for a reported £77.5million ($100m).
Couples, 65, has been a staunch critic of LIV since its controversial breakaway.
Speaking on US radio station KJR 93.3 FM, Couples said: “I love Brooks Koepka and I’m not going to say anything extra except I talk to him all the time.
“I will say I believe he really wants to come back and play the tour.”
But Mickelson, 54, took issue with the comments and addressed them bluntly by calling the 1992 Masters winner a “low-class jerk” in a deleted social media post.
He said: “If it’s not true, he damaged a relationship which he cares about.
“If it’s true he took away Brooks’ control of the timeline and narrative.
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“Either way, this is a low-class jerk move by Fred.”
This is likely to lead to a frosty reunion when the pair sit down together at the champions dinner at Augusta National next month.
Koepka is not the only LIV Golf star who has been forced to clarify his position under the Saudi organisation, with Bryson DeChambeau also forced to address speculation about his future.
Ahead of LIV’s event in Hong Kong, the two-time US Open Champion said: “I’m very excited about the future of LIV Golf.
“I’m very excited to be the captain of the Crushers and continue our legacy that we’re starting to create.
“That’s my goal, to create this lasting legacy where we impact millions and millions of golfers’ lives around the world.
“That should tell you everything you [need to] know.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan refused to be drawn on the gossip surrounding LIV players seeking a return.
Monahan said in Orlando on Tuesday: “I’m not going to get into any conversations that I did or didn’t have with players on LIV.
“I’m focused on the players that are on the PGA Tour.
“It takes all of my energy and my team’s energy to make sure that we’re continuing to improve and strengthen the PGA Tour and doing so in the eyes of fans.
“Ultimately, that question is going to be answered through the conversations that we’re having with the PIF.”
