Phil Mickelson said that he and Tiger Woods acknowledged each other earlier this week while practicing at Royal Troon for the Open Championship.
On Saturday, the 54-year-old acknowledged that he and Woods said hellos on the range while hitting balls from adjacent stalls.
While conceding that they were cordial to each other, Mickelson said that they were too preoccupied with their different preparations to be friends after welcomes.
‘We said hello,’ Mickelson said after making the cut in The Open’s third round 72. ‘Yes, we exchanged greetings, but we were both prepping.
‘It is not like we are going to sit there and talk. But we said hi, yes.
The seasoned golfers have competed on the course but have never been close as individuals. Furthermore, their personal bond appears to be nonexistent.
Mickelson became one of the primary recruiters for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, while Woods campaigned for the PGA Tour’s policy board to combat the threat. This was before the possibility of reuniting the game was discussed.
While their engagement at Royal Troon may be a foregone conclusion, Mickelson is dubious whether they can work together to resolve the circuits’ issues.
I don’t know. We will see. We shall see,’ he answered.
‘I’m not sure about that stuff,’ Mickelson continued. ‘I am not involved. I am not sitting in those rooms. I’m enjoying where I’m at, what I’m doing, and playing. I’ll let others work that stuff out.
Woods’ engagement with Mickelson was hardly his only effort to promote peace this week. On the practice putting green, he approached Bryson DeChambeau to congratulate him on his recent US Open victory.
Speaking to the media, DeChambeau appeared pleased with his first exchange of niceties with his former friend in a year.
‘It’s the first communication,’ DeChambeau said Thursday, ‘but I’ll say he’s a competitor and I respect him. I’m sure winning two US Opens helped him come up and say congratulations. I’m not sure what his opinion is, but it was really kind, and I appreciated it.