Phil Mickelson confirms official split with Callaway after 20 years

LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson has confirmed he has parted ways with Callaway Golf having played and endorsed their golf equipment since 2004. 

Callaway chose to pause their relationship with Mickelson, 53, immediately after he called the Saudi government 'scary motherf*****s' during a conversation with golf biographer Alan Shipnuck in 2022. 

Mickelson also said at the time he wanted to use Saudi Arabian money in the game as 'leverage' to get things done how he saw fit on the PGA Tour. 

But after taking some time out of the game, Mickelson soon left the PGA Tour to join a breakaway LIV Golf League, bankrolled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) 

Many consider Mickelson's controversial comments back then are in some ways coming to fruition in light of the pending framework agreement merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the PIF. A deadline was set for 31 December 2023 but it has now been extended to the end of March 2024, according to multiple reports. 

Phil Mickelson no longer sponsored by Callaway in 2024

In a tweet posted on 19 January 2024, two weeks before the start of the 2024 LIV Golf League season, Mickelson confirmed his official split from Callaway. 

Mickelson said he has maintained a 'great relationship with everyone' at Callaway.

The six-time major champion reiterated he is a huge fan of the brand's new Chrome Tour X golf ball for a number of different reasons. 

Mickelson has worked tirelessly with the Callaway brand on a number of different golf equipment down the years, but in particular the popular Chrome ball franchise. 

Callaway and Mickelson's split after 20 years together comes less than two weeks after Tiger Woods confirmed he was leaving Nike after 27 years. 

"I am no longer sponsored by Callaway Golf but have maintained a great relationship with everyone there," tweeted Mickelson. 

"The new Chrome Tour X ball is the fastest ball off the driver, most spin around the greens,and most consistent aerodynamics of any ball on the market. Trying it can’t hurt and I know you’ll see the same thing."

Four other brands decided to ditch Mickelson in 2022, including KPMG, Workday, Heineken and Amstel Light. 

I am no longer sponsored by Callaway Golf but have maintained a great relationship with everyone there. The new Chrome Tour X ball is the fastest ball off the driver, most spin around the greens,and most consistent aerodynamics of any ball on the market. Trying it can’t hurt and…

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) January 19, 2024

Mickelson is the captain of HyFlyers GC on LIV Golf, which also comprises Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale and new signing Andy Ogletree in 2024. 

It is believed Mickelson signed for LIV Golf in the region of $200m in 2022. 

He was the highest earner on LIV Golf last season but it's now Jon Rahm following the Spaniard's shock reported $450m move at the end of 2023. 

The first LIV Golf event of 2024 gets underway at Mayakoba in Mexico in the first week of February.

Take me to more golf news!