Phil Mickelson to golf reporter: "I'm not going to take the bait"

Phil Mickelson told a reporter he wasn't going to 'take the bait' when he was asked whether he would rather win a LIV Golf event or another green jacket. 

Mickelson heads to Augusta National for the 2025 Masters in decent form after getting himself in contention last week at Trump National Doral. 

The 54-year-old was only one shot off the lead during the final round when he reached the sixth hole and suffered one of the worst breaks imaginable. 

Mickelson had a short pitch to get on the green but he watched his golf ball smash the flagstick and roll back into the water. 

It led to a double bogey and appeared to rattle him somewhat as his bid for his first win on the breakaway tour faded. 

Australia's Marc Leishman went on to win by one stroke from Charl Schwartzel. 

Sergio Garcia, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith also finished inside the top-10.  

Mickelson, who ended up in sixth place, later told reporters the moment was unfortunate, adding: "I don't know what to say."

One scribe decided to ask Lefty whether he would rather win a tournament on the breakaway tour or another green jacket. 

It is understood Mickelson joined LIV for more than $200m in 2022 and he is yet to win on the PIF-backed breakaway. 

At the turn of the year, Mickelson revealed before he retires he wants to win on LIV and even become a seven-time major winner. 

Mickelson acknowledged it was 'an interesting question'.

But he added: "I'm not going to really take the bait. 

"I think winning any tournament at this stage would be a really strong achievement," he said.  

"And looking at the field that we play against here on LIV week in and week out, the quality of the players here are so strong that that would be a real accomplishment, but so would a major where you have all the best players, too."

Watch Mickelson's brutal break here:

"I'm playing good golf"

Mickelson is one of 12 LIV Golf players in the 2025 Masters field. 

The owner of three green jackets was forced to miss LIV's curtain-raiser in Riyadh with a shoulder injury. 

But since returning to the course Mickelson has competed well. 

Through four events, Mickelson has finished in the top-10 twice. 

"I'm playing good golf," Mickelson said. "I'm driving it well. I'm hitting good iron shots, putting it well. 

"I'm looking forward to competing at Augusta, a course I know very well, and feel like I have the game now and am hitting the shots to compete."

Which LIV Golf players are in The Masters field?

• Phil Mickelson
• Bryson DeChambeau
• Sergio Garcia
• Dustin Johnson
• Brooks Koepka
• Joaquin Niemann
• Jon Rahm
• Patrick Reed
• Charl Schwartzel
• Cameron Smith
• Bubba Watson
• Tyrrell Hatton