Jack Nicklaus on Phil Mickelson: ‘I guess he’s still playing … I don’t know’

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Years down the road, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods would be obvious choices to become honorary starters at the Masters.

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But perhaps it’s not the slam dunk it would seem to be.

Both Mickelson’s and Woods’ names came up during Thursday’s press conference with the current trio of legends and it was clear that Jack Nicklaus has a differing opinion of the two men.

“I don’t know what level Phil is competing at. I guess he’s still playing. He’s playing the LIV Tour, is he?” Nicklaus seemed to genuinely ask. “I don’t know if he’s playing or not. I don’t know, you never see that anymore.

“I think Phil has been competitive in an odd event here and there, but not really in the last few years. You know, Phil has been a good player. There’s no question about that. There’s no question he’s been a good player,” Nicklaus said of the three-time Masters champ.

“Good player” isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for the six-time major champion.

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Although back in the field now, it wasn’t long ago Mickelson was urged to stay away from the Masters Tournament after leaving for LIV Golf and making a number of rather explosive comments about Saudi Arabia as well as the PGA Tour.

Sitting beside Nicklaus was fellow ceremonial starter Tom Watson, who has his own uncomfortable history with Mickelson.

Following the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland, Mickelson famously threw American captain Watson under the bus in a shocking takedown during the post-tournament press conference.

On Thursday at the Masters, Watson didn’t comment on Mickelson.

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On the other hand, Nicklaus had nothing but good things to say about Woods.

“Tiger is hurt. I think Tiger will get well and Tiger will be back and play,” Nicklaus said. “Tiger will be 50 next year. I believe he’ll probably play the Senior Tour and I believe he’ll probably dominate the Senior Tour. Tiger is too much of a competitor to not play. I don’t believe he will not play. I believe he will play.

“Tiger has had his issues and he’s overcome most all of them each time he’s had them. I fully expect him to do that again.”

But Woods always has rejected the idea of playing tournaments when he no longer feels he is competitive. The honour of hitting the ceremonial tee shot at the Masters likely is a different question, although Nicklaus doesn’t think Woods is anywhere close to considering it.

“Not in his mind,” Nicklaus said. “That’s the only way I can answer that because it’s got to be in his mind, not somebody else’s.”

The odds are probably still in favour of the two most famous golfers of the past 30 years eventually taking their spot on the first tee at Augusta National, but like most things with them, it likely will be a little complicated.

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