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If you told golf fans five years ago that Phil Mickelson would still be contending at an Open Championship at 55, some would have believed it. Fewer would have thought he’d ever be asked about a YouTube golfer during his post-round presser.
But that’s exactly what happened on Thursday when Mickelson gathered with reporters at Royal Portrush following an opening 70. Why? Well, if you don’t know the answer to that, then you’re not on Golf Twitter that much. (Good for you.)
Earlier in the week, YouTube golf star Grant Horvat announced he was declining a spot in this week’s PGA Tour opposite-field event, the Barracuda Championship. The reason? The tour wouldn’t allow his crew to film it. Here was his explanation:
Unfortunately I will not be playing in a PGA Tour event. The rules and regulations around PGA Tour tournament play will not allow us to film. The only reason I was in the position to receive an invitation like this is because of YouTube and you all watching the videos, so if I’m…
— Grant Horvat (@GrantHorvatGolf) July 15, 2025
This caused a LOT of drama on Twitter. Well, Golf Twitter. It’s just a blip compared to this CEO-HR person Coldplay concert PDA video. But really, this prompted a ton of responses, many of which were critical of Grant for turning down an opportunity that most can only dream of.
There were also many who came to Grant’s support as well as others who speculated Grant’s decision had been influenced by his golf video pal—and business partner—Mickelson. After all, it was the the six-time major champ who left for LIV Golf in part because of the PGA Tour’s policies regarding media rights.
Which leads us back to Thursday, when Mickelson was asked about the situation. And he addressed it. Sort of. Here was the exchange:
Q. What are your thoughts on the Grant Horvat situation? I know you guys are close and the PGA TOUR made that decision.
PHIL MICKELSON: I’ve really enjoyed playing my matches with Grant. He’s the nicest guy, and he’s been very helpful for me to kind of get into the YouTube space, a space that I don’t really know a lot about. I’m starting to learn — I’m learning from him. I’m learning from Bryson. They’ve been both very, very helpful.
Q. Do you think that’s a missed opportunity, though?
PHIL MICKELSON: I’m not going to go into the weeds on that. I just really like him.
OK then. It’s a bit surprising to see Phil play the role of Switzerland in this turf war, but there you have it. And, unfortunately, no one asked him for his thoughts on that whole CEO-HR person Coldplay concert PDA video. Maybe tomorrow.
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Main Image: Lauren Sopourn
