"Because of LIV, those are all happening" - Phil Mickelson claims Bryson DeChambeau's career boost is because of Saudi-backed league

Phil Mickelson claimed that the formation of LIV Golf led to Bryson DeChambeau's successful career on social media. In recent years, the American golfer has become more active on social media and has garnered a tremendous fan following by sharing golf-related videos on his YouTube channel.

Recently, Mickelson had an interview with Haslinda Amin for Bloomberg TV, in which he discussed dynamic changes in the golf world, including the elevated events. LIV Golf events are elevated with a purse of $25 million. Interestingly, following that, the PGA Tour introduced elevated tournaments on their circuit. Moreover, LIV Golf events are available to stream on their YouTube channel, which Mickelson believes has helped boost golfers' careers on social media.

Speaking of the Saudi League, Mickelson said (via Bloomberg TV):

"I know that a few years ago, it was not an option to have elevated events. It was not an option for the players to have equity. And it wasn't an option for players to transcend social media markets and create YouTube channels and have their own social media posts, the way Bryson has done."

"And Bryson has brought golf, in this cool hip vibe, to many people on YouTube. That wasn't an option. So, until LIV happened, none of that was gonna happen, and now, because of LIV, those are all happening," he added at (001:0.30).

Notably, Bryson DeChambeau gained a significant increase in his followers on social media in recent years. He boasts 794K subscribers on YouTube, 419K followers on X (formerly Twitter), and 1.4 million on Instagram.

It is important to note that after he won his second Major at the recently concluded US Open, DeChambeau gained over 150,000 followers on various social media platforms.

DeChambeau has been in good form this season and has fared well in all three Majors concluded so far. He was tied for sixth at the Masters and runner-up at the PGA Championship before winning the US Open. Next, he will be playing at The Open Championship alongside Phil Mickelson.

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Phil Mickelson expresses his opinion on PGA Tour & LIV Golf merger

In his interview with Bloomberg TV, Phil Mickelson also discussed the controversial merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which was announced last year but remains unresolved.

The six-time Major winner credited LIV Golf for the PGA Tour's elevated events, claiming that LIV Golf initiated this trend. He further spoke about the merger, suggesting it might not be essential. Mickelson said:

"The competition both Tours are providing is elevating both Tours. So is it necessary that there's a merger? Probably not. But it would be a great thing if there wasn't any hostility." (0.50-1.00)

The PGA Tour has been in talks with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf's financial backer. They have been hoping for a merger, but it has repeatedly been postponed over the last year.