Before the world of golf was disrupted by the wealth of LIV Golf and internal conflicts, there was a time when top players could openly tease each other about money. Discussions are still underway regarding a potential long-term merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed venture, a rift that has divided past and present players for over two years.
This tournament is most remembered for Tiger Woods’ remarkable comeback, overcoming severe injury issues to secure his 15th major title. Yet, Mickelson, who also donned the green jacket three times, arguably made the most significant off-course contribution that weekend.
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As he drove down the iconic Magnolia Lane for his third round, the 54-year-old shared a video on social media. In the brief clip, he expressed his excitement about being paired with fellow American Matt Kuchar.
However, he also took a sharp jab at his playing partner, who had faced criticism five months earlier after winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic. Kuchar, now 46, was later chastised by temporary caddie David Giral Ortiz for underpaying him, giving him less than $5,000 of his $1,296,000 winnings.
The ex-Ryder Cup competitor not only had to give Ortiz more cash but also offered a mea culpa in the spotlight. Later, Mickelson made an unspecified contribution to the charity of the Mayakoba Classic.
