Phil Mickelson to Fred Couples over Brooks Koepka claim: "You're a jerk"

Phil Mickelson labelled Fred Couples 'a jerk' after the former Masters champion claimed Brooks Koepka wants to rejoin the PGA Tour.

Koepka was among the first wave of high-profile stars to join the Saudi-backed league in 2022. 

It is understood that the five-time major champion agreed a multi-year deal worth more than $100m. 

The widespread - and unsubstantiated - belief is that Koepka was almost on the verge of retirement owing to a devastating knee injury when he agreed to join the PIF-backed league. 

Couples indicated in a recent radio interview that Koepka does have some buyer's remorse. 

Mickelson has subsequently ripped into Couples' claim. 

"If it's not true, he damaged a relationship which he cares about," Mickelson wrote on X on 5 March. 

"If it's true he took away Brooks' control of the timeline and narrative. Either way this is a low class jerk move by Fred."

Lefty has since deleted his post. 

Mickelson is due to come face to face with Couples next month when the duo head to Augusta National for the 2025 Masters. 

The duo will be in the same room for the annual past champions' dinner. 

See Mickelson's post here:

What has Koepka said about his decision to join LIV?

In May 2023, Koepka did concede that his decision to join LIV may have been different had he been fitter. 

The first season of the Netflix documentary, Full Swing, painted a picture of a miserable Koepka battling a knee injury. 

"Honestly, yeah, probably, if I'm being completely honest," he previously said when asked if his decision would have been different had he not been injured

Despite the concession, Koepka insisted that he was happy with the choice he made.

Though he also admitted he missed battling Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler on a more regular basis. 

"I think that's what makes the majors so cool," he said.