English tour pro Eddie Pepperell believes golf fans have missed out on Phil Mickelson becoming “one of the greatest commentators” the sport has ever known as a result of his switch to LIV.
Mickelson was one of the very first and highest-profile players to sign with LIV Golf when the Saudi Arabia-backed series launched in 2022.
His decision to leave the PGA Tour for a reported $200m sparked major controversy in the golf world.
Had things transpired differently, then Mickelson was very likely going to enjoy the golden years of his illustrious, hall of fame career on the PGA Tour Champions playing against his old rival Tiger Woods.
Mickelson may have also been tempted to swap his golf clubs for a microphone and call the action.
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Pepperell told the latest episode of The Chipping Forecast Mickelson has “such a brilliant brain and is so entertaining”.
Phil Mickelson
And he believes golf is missing out on contributions from former players.
“One thing I’ve always loved about cricket is the contributions from the now former players – the Ricky Pontings, I mean, the Shane Warnes, along with Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussein, Stuart Broad, Alistair [Cook].
“These are greats, and they’re greats not long ago. And I think one of the most unfortunate things for golf is that it doesn’t have that feature of the commentary teams that cover the game.”
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He added: “I think it’s such a great shame. And I think, wouldn’t it be brilliant – because you look at the clips of Tiger talking about his putting a couple of weeks ago that does the rounds – and again, [that was] full of wisdom.”
Pepperell was referring to Woods’ putting clinic before the Hero World Challenge in December.
The 15-time major champion hosts the invite-only PGA Tour event annually at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas.
Woods discussed how he has always controlled his speed and follow-through on putts by putting all of the energy into the ball, which then naturally slows the putter head – rather than focusing on a long follow-through.
He said that because his putter is lighter, the weight of the ball helps stop the putter head quiker, and that’s a fundamental part of how he makes consistent contact and pace.
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Pepperell added: “And Tiger has the insight to provide us all with hours of endless entertainment and fascination. It’s just getting them in the position where they can do it and make it accessible for us all.
“And I just would love more guys, not like Tiger because he maybe would never do it, but maybe he would with the right encouragement and the right incentives to go on CBS or Golf Channel or whatever it might be.
“And this was the great shame with Phil Mickelson going to live because Phil would have just become maybe the greatest commentator we’ve ever known in golf. Certainly one of.
“You know, he’s got such a brilliant brain and so entertaining.”
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Mickelson squashes Ryder Cup rumour early
Who knows what the future has in store for Phil Mickelson.
There was once a time where it seemed a dead cert that Lefty was going to lead the United States in the Ryder Cup as a captain.
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black seemed like the obvious choice for Mickelson to take the reins in before he joined LIV Golf, potentially going up against Europe’s Ian Poulter.
Mickelson’s name was thrown into the ring after Keegan Bradley’s dozen were defeated last September, but the 55-year-old said his Ryder Cup days are behind him:
No rumors. My Ryder Cup involvement is over. I’m happy being a spectator and rooting for Team USA
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 28, 2025
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The aforementioned Woods is the favourite to succeed Bradley as captain.
The 2027 Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in Ireland and Woods has close ties to the Irish billionaire, J.P. McManus, who owns the course.
Woods told media in December the PGA of America haven’t contacted him yet about the role.
Should Woods reject the role again, then one of Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Stewart Cink, Jim Furyk or Fred Couples will likely get the job.
Europe’s Luke Donald has not revealed yet if he will continue to lead the blue and gold.
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It is understood Donald will make up his mind before the first major of the season.
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