By Matt Smith
Former world No. 1 Phil Mickelson proved he still has what it takes on the golf course as he teed up for the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series pro-am at Centurion Club outside London on Wednesday.

The American 51-year-old has been in self-imposed exile for the past four months after his misguided comments and his attempt to take the PGA to task and leverage better conditions and money for players, and he was forced to miss his PGA Championship title defence last month.

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But, following a media grilling during his morning press conference on Wednesday, Mickelson was all smiles as he got back out on the course.

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The left-hander took in 18 holes on a blustery day alongside Lee Westwood and Saudi businessman and chairman of Newcastle United Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

The group exchanged pleasantries on the first tee before setting off on their round.

Mickelson will begin a new chapter in his career on Thursday, when he gets back to competitive golf alongside team members Justin Harding, Chase Koepka and Ratchanon Chantananuwat in St Albans.

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