LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson: "I don't need OWGR points nor do I care about them"

LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson and PGA Tour on-course commentator and former player Colt Knost got into a heated argument about Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points on Twitter on Monday. 

Knost, who now works as a commentator for CBS Sports, wanted to know why LIV Golf players such as Mickelson are getting "so upset" about being removed from the OWGR system due to not fulfilling certain criteria such as a halfway cut and staging 72 holes. 

Mickelson, 52, saw Knost's tweet and replied that it's the job of the OWGR to rank "all the players in the world".

Knost, 37, then wanted to know why LIV Golf "never lobbied for world ranking points from the start" when founding its circuit in the summer of 2022.

He also quizzed Mickelson on why he never argued for ranking points when he was on the PGA Tour Champions prior to his move to LIV Golf.

Related: Gooch moans about losing $2m of his earnings on LIV Golf

Mickelson, who finished tied second at The Masters in April, then hit back by saying he "doesn't need" nor does he even care about ranking points for himself as a result of already being exempt for all four majors through 2025. 

Lefty also then claimed how the "heads of OWGR would do everything in their power to shut LIV down by any and all means."

Knost then came back to say he thinks LIV Golf will receive points in the future, but they don't deserve full ranking points like on the PGA Tour. 

He also makes the point that a number of players competing on LIV Golf "couldn't make it on the PGA Tour and that's why they jumped to LIV".

It's a very entertaining thread it must be said, so check it out below. We're fairly certain it's not the end of their argument, either. 

Here's the back and forth between Knost and Mickelson on Twitter: 

Colt. It is not our job. It is the owgr’s job to rank ALL the players in the world. Maybe they can do THEIR job and figure it out like they do for multiple tours with hundreds of players not even close to as good.But that would hurt the PGA’s revenue from CBS so the leaders won’t

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023

Respectfully,I don’t need OWGR points nor do I care about them for myself. I’m in 3 majors for the next 13+ years and all four majors through 2025. It’s about doing what’s right and calling out the collusion that’s taking place behind closed doors to help JM get all his tv money.

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023

It was addressed and it was made clear the heads of owgr would do everything in their power to shut LIV down by any and all means.

Curious why you think LIV is the ONLY tour NOT worthy of points despite so many great players? Because it’s a threat is not a valid reason.

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023

There are some great players and I think one day it will get points. But how many? Should LIV Singapore get the same as Wells Fargo? Yes there are some great players. No doubt. But there are also some who couldn’t make it on the pga tour and that’s why they jumped to LIV

— Colt Knost (@ColtKnost) May 1, 2023

Knost: "Serious question. Y’all are so upset about the OWGR, if you knew the criteria when you’re starting a tour why wouldn’t you just meet it?"

Mickelson: "Colt. It is not our job. It is the owgr’s job to rank ALL the players in the world. Maybe they can do THEIR job and figure it out like they do for multiple tours with hundreds of players not even close to as good. But that would hurt the PGA’s revenue from CBS so the leaders won’t."

Knost: "Respectfully, why did you never lobby for WR points from the start? Why did you not argue for points when you played on PGA Tour Champions?"

Mickelson: "Respectfully, I don’t need OWGR points nor do I care about them for myself. I’m in 3 majors for the next 13+ years and all four majors through 2025. It’s about doing what’s right and calling out the collusion that’s taking place behind closed doors to help JM (Jay Monahan, PGA Tour boss) get all his tv money."

Knost: "Yes you are! But you said it's their job to rank ALL players in the world. Just curious why you felt like LIV is more deserving than another tour? If you knew going in you were not going to get points why would y'all have addressed it before the tour started?"

Mickelson: "It was addressed and it was made clear the heads of OWGR would do everything in their power to shut LIV down by any and all means. Curious why you think LIV is the ONLY tour NOT worthy of points despite so many great players? Because it's a threat is not a valid reason."

Knost: "There are so great players and I think one day it will get points. But how many? Should LIV Singapore get the same as Wells Fargo? Yes there are some great players. No doubt. But there are also some who couldn't make it on the PGA Tour and that's they jumped to LIV."

Should LIV Golf players receive OWGR points? Or do they deserve to remain out the picture? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels. 

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