Phil Mickelson Will Never Return to PGA Tour, Says Trey Wingo

The future of LIV Golf remains deeply uncertain as reports indicate the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is considering withdrawing financial support following the 2026 season. This potential shift leaves the league’s players contemplating their options, with a return to the PGA Tour a possibility for some, but not all.

While the PGA Tour has already welcomed back players like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, with stipulations, former ESPN host Trey Wingo believes the door is firmly closed for others, specifically singling out Phil Mickelson.

Mickelson’s PGA Tour Future: A Point of No Return?

During a recent appearance on Awful Announcing’s podcast, Wingo offered a stark assessment of Mickelson’s prospects of rejoining the PGA Tour. “I can promise you one person that you’ll never see in any way in an official capacity with the PGA Tour is Phil Mickelson,” Wingo stated. He described the situation as a complete severing of ties, stating, “That bridge has been burned, detonated, destroyed, nuked, lasered to death. There is no building that bridge back.”

Wingo’s comments reflect a widespread sentiment that Mickelson’s initial embrace of LIV Golf, and the associated criticisms leveled at the PGA Tour, have irrevocably damaged his relationship with the organization. He played a key role in the formation of LIV Golf prior to its inaugural event in 2022.

A Two-Tiered Return for LIV Golfers?

Wingo suggested that the PGA Tour’s willingness to absorb LIV golfers will be highly selective. He believes the Tour is primarily interested in reacquiring Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, viewing them as significant assets. “I don’t think the PGA Tour cares about 54 or 52 of the 56 LIV golfers or how many there are. They care about two for sure, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau,” Wingo explained.

He further indicated that players with major championship victories, like Brooks Koepka, might also find a pathway back, citing Koepka’s return to the Tour in 2026. However, for the majority of LIV golfers, Wingo anticipates a much more difficult road. “But the rest of them, I think they might say, ‘Congratulations, Taylor Gooch, I’m glad you got your money. You won’t see us again unless you go through the hardest way possible to earn your tour card like everybody else.’”

LIV Golf Faces Funding Uncertainty and Event Cancellations

The potential withdrawal of funding from the Saudi PIF adds to the existing instability within LIV Golf. Reports suggest the fund is shifting its priorities and addressing economic challenges related to the conflict in Iran. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil acknowledged in a now-deleted video that the league’s funding beyond the 2026 season was not guaranteed, stating he would “work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan” to ensure continued operation.

This financial uncertainty has already led to the postponement of a scheduled event in New Orleans in June, further highlighting the league’s precarious position.

Mickelson’s Personal Challenges

Adding to the complexities surrounding Mickelson, he has faced personal challenges this year, limiting his participation in LIV events. He has only played in one LIV event in 2026 while navigating a family health matter that also caused him to miss the Masters tournament earlier this month.

Given these factors – the strained relationship with the PGA Tour, his age, and current personal circumstances – Wingo’s assessment of Mickelson’s future appears increasingly plausible. The possibility of seeing Mickelson compete on the PGA Tour again seems, according to Wingo, to be nonexistent.