Phil Mickelson extends Rory McIlroy olive branch as softened LIV Golf stance casts 'needless disdain' aside

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Phil Mickelson is pleased to see Rory McIlroy soften his stance on LIV Golf - and says it's not time to pile on, but to mend bridges.The world No.2 has previously been one of the main critics of the Saudi-backed breakaway tour but as talks press ahead over a merged PGA and LIV tour, McIlroy said he had been 'too judgemental' of the big names like Mickelson who had made the jump.

McIlroy's comments were made after his Ryder Cup teammate and Masters champion Jon Rahm signed up for LIV in arguably their most prominent acquisition to date.And Mickelson, who was one of the first big names to join LIV in 2022, says it's good to see McIlroy beginning to mend bridges.

He's extended an olive branch to the Irishman and hopes his comments won't lead to a pile-on from those who disagree with his initial hardline stance.Mickelson posted on Twitter: "This quote and the many others made today by Rory probably weren’t easy to say.

Let’s not use this as an opportunity to pile on. Rather, it’s time for me and others to let go of our hostilities and work towards a positive future."Rahm’s signing is turning into a bridge to bring both sides together, as evidenced by the many comments today and a month ago about changing the rules for the Ryder Cup so Jon and others can play, so let’s use it as such.