Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson spent years battling on the PGA Tour as, at the time, the sport’s biggest rivals.
Still two of golf’s biggest draws in 2024, Mickelson and Woods may not be bitter on-course rivals anymore – but that doesn’t mean the two are now the best of friends, either.
Mickelson left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf in 2022, a move criticized by Woods at the time. And while it seems the former rivals still don’t completely agree about the future of the sport, a new report by SI’s Bob Harig on Saturday suggests Woods and Mickelson’s relationship may be improving.
Asked whether he exchanged words with Tiger on the range before The Open Championship, Mickelson confirmed that the two did speak.
“We said hi. Yeah, we said hi, but we were both preparing. It’s not like we’re going to sit there and chat,” Mickelson said, via Harig.
“But we said hello, yeah.”
Phil Mickelson Offers a Few Thoughts on Joggers, Royal Troon and Tiger Woods https://t.co/frCFIgpxAS
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) July 20, 2024
🚨👀⛳️ JUST IN: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson exchanged hellos at Royal Troon per @BobHarig. It’s believed to be the first interaction in years. @TWlegion
“We said hi. Yeah, we said hi, but we were both preparing. It’s not like we’re going to sit there and chat. But we said… pic.twitter.com/msbmw66fmr
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 20, 2024
Considering the fractured state of professional golf since the LIV/PGA split in 2022, fans were left hopeful by Mickelson and Woods’ brief – but seemingly positive – interaction before The Open Championship.
Great to hear honestly. Who’s the quote from? TW or Lefty?
— Riley Ruby (@RileyRuby2) July 20, 2024
Woods, after posting rounds of 79-77 on Thursday and Friday, missed the cut at the 152nd Open Championship – his third consecutive missed cut at a major.
Mickelson, meanwhile, currently sits T51 and +6 overall after firing a third-round 72 on Saturday.
Jul 20, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Phil Mickelson on the 10th hole during the third round of the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
