Nick Faldo found Phil Mickelson’s silence to be deafening.
The 2 legendary golfers have been at odds ever since Mickelson left the PGA Tour to affix controversial LIV Golf in 2022.
They crossed paths earlier this week on the Masters Champions Dinner in Augusta, Ga., where the retired Faldo is available commenting for Sky Sports.
Faldo told the listening audience that Mickelson was in a subdued mood and that his reunion with other PGA golfers was awkward, in accordance with The Sun.
“Phil was very quiet on Tuesday, he didn’t say a word,” Faldo said. “He was dead quiet, standing next to me. I ponder why.”
Mickelson won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
Faldo won in 1989, 1990 and 1996.
Faldo said last yr that he didn’t think LIV Golf would survive for much longer after the $3 billion merger between the PGA and the LIV’s investors.
“I don’t think so because no one’s really interested,” Faldo said on the time. “They call it a team (event) and it’s not since it’s strokeplay. … It’s only half a dozen (players) which might be really current. Half of the sphere I don’t really know, and half the sphere are there for the very nice last-placed money that you simply still get should you shoot 20-over.”
That was more blatant than the subtle shot that Faldo took at the extent of competition in LIV Golf.
Defending Masters champion Jon Rahm is a LIV participant, playing on what Faldo called “resort courses.”
Faldo knows about successfully defending a Masters title.
“Whether coming to defend you may do it, or whether he’s just not quite sharp enough because he hasn’t tested himself quite as much,” Faldo said, in accordance with the Mirror, “we’ll need to wait and see.”