The debate over whether LIV Golf events should receive Official World Golf Ranking Points has been raging on Golf Twitter for about a year now, so why do we care about the latest installment on Monday? Because it involved Phil Mickelson and Colt Knost. And because it ended rather awkwardly.
We’re not going to get into all the details of the debate here, but essentially LIV has been trying to get OWGR points, and thus far, it hasn’t worked. That’s caused LIV golfers to take a big drop in the OWGR, which hurts their chances of getting into Major championships. Just ask Talor Gooch, who thought he was into the US Open until the USGA changed the language in the tournament’s criteria for this year. Ouch.
Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson float idea to keep LIV golfers from losing access to Majors
Some (like Mickelson) argue this isn’t fair because as evidenced by the recent Masters leaderboard, obviously, LIV has some of the best golfers in the world. But others argue it’s hard to properly evaluate 54-hole, 48-man fields and that these guys knew what they were getting into when they signed for big (Saudi) money.
OK, you get it, so let’s get to the latest Twitter debate, which was started by a pro-LIV account, and caused Knost, a former PGA Tour pro turned CBS Golf analyst, to weigh in:
Serious question. Y’all are so upset about the OWGR, if you knew the criteria when you’re starting a tour why wouldn’t you just meet it?
— Colt Knost (@ColtKnost) May 1, 2023
Which prompted Phil to get in the mix:
Colt. It is not our job. It is the owgr’s job to rank ALL the players in the world. Maybe they can do THEIR job and figure it out like they do for multiple tours with hundreds of players not even close to as good.But that would hurt the PGA’s revenue from CBS so the leaders won’t
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
Which led to two fantastic “Respectfully” tweets:
Respectfully,I don’t need OWGR points nor do I care about them for myself. I’m in 3 majors for the next 13+ years and all four majors through 2025. It’s about doing what’s right and calling out the collusion that’s taking place behind closed doors to help JM get all his tv money.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
Which led to a few more back-and-forth tweets:
It was addressed and it was made clear the heads of owgr would do everything in their power to shut LIV down by any and all means.
Curious why you think LIV is the ONLY tour NOT worthy of points despite so many great players? Because it’s a threat is not a valid reason.— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
Same questions can be asked of all tours. You figure it out and continue tweaking as they have been doing for decades. To get ZERO points?😂😂 It’s obvious to me as to why. It should be to you too. Sadly,It’s the protective mechanism CBS and others used in its current contract.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
Which led to Colt inviting Phil to come on his podcast (Golf’s Subpar podcast):
I think if LIV altered thie format a little you would be getting points! But how bout we sit down and discuss this and more in person. I happen to have a show we could do it on! A show which you told me in the past you would be on! Happy to fly wherever you would like and dive in
— Colt Knost (@ColtKnost) May 1, 2023
Which led to this pretty clear decline from Phil, albeit accompanied by two thumbs-up emojis:
No thanks. I prefer tweeting like we are 👍👍
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
Which led to this second invitation from Colt:
Oh come on Phil. You’ve never been shy before! I’m sure Greg would give you permission!
— Colt Knost (@ColtKnost) May 1, 2023
Which led to a second decline from Phil:
When you don’t have facts to back up your position this is what you tweet? No thanks.
I’m good.— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 1, 2023
Guess Phil didn’t like that “Greg” line. Which led to Colt trying a third(!) time:
You could share your facts on the show. We could sit down in person. Would a wonderful discussion. And maybe our two genius minds could come up with a solution!
— Colt Knost (@ColtKnost) May 1, 2023
Which led to, well, we think that’s it. Told you it was awkward.
Hey, as someone who hosts a podcast, I get it. Great guests can be hard to come by so you’ve got to shoot your shot(s) there. Speaking of which, Phil, I know another podcast that would like to have you on to discuss . . . Probably no chance of that happening, but again, you’ve got to shoot your shot. Respectfully, of course.