Phil Mickelson has ignited a war of words with fellow Masters champion Fred Couples, branding his remarks about Brooks Koepka a ‘low class jerk move.’
Speculation has been rife that Koepka wants to return to the PGA Tour, with concerns over LIV’s limited competitive schedule weighing on him.
It comes after Koepka defected to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit in 2022 for a reported $100 million.
Couples added fuel to the fire in an interview with Seattle radio station KJR 93.3 FM this week, claiming: “He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the tour.”
Koepka has previously hinted that had it not been for injuries, he might never have left the PGA Tour in the first place.
Mickelson, one of LIV’s most high-profile recruits, didn’t hold back in his response, taking to social media on Tuesday to call out Couples in a post that was later deleted.
“If it’s not true, he damaged a relationship which he cares about,” Mickelson wrote.
“If it’s true he took away Brook’s control of the timeline and narrative. Either way this is a low class jerk move by Fred.”
With both players set to attend the annual Masters Champions Dinner ahead of the tournament, their clash threatens to create an awkward atmosphere.
Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, and Mickelson, who donned the Green Jacket in 2004, 2006, and 2010, will be sharing a room at Augusta, setting the stage for a frosty encounter.
Meanwhile, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sidestepped questions on whether players from LIV had approached the tour about a possible return.
Speaking in Orlando on Tuesday, he kept his focus on the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
“I’m not going to get into any conversations that I did or didn’t have with players on LIV,” Monahan said.
“I’m focused on the players that are on the PGA Tour. It takes all of my energy and my team’s energy to make sure that we’re continuing to improve and strengthen the PGA Tour and doing so in the eyes of fans.
“Ultimately, that question is going to be answered through the conversations that we’re having with the PIF.”
All eyes will now be on Augusta to see how Mickelson and Couples navigate their unavoidable reunion at one of golf’s most exclusive dinners.
They will come face to face at The Masters champions dinner, which is held on Tuesday just before the tournament starts.
