Phil Mickelson Slams Fred Couples as ‘Low Class’ Over Brooks Koepka PGA Tour Claims

Phil Mickelson Slams Fred Couples as ‘Low Class’ Over Brooks Koepka PGA Tour Claims

Golf legend Phil Mickelson has fired back at Fred Couples, calling him “low class” after the former Masters champion suggested that Brooks Koepka and other LIV Golf players want to return to the PGA Tour. The latest feud between two of golf’s biggest personalities adds another layer to the ongoing rift between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league.

Couples’ Comments Spark Controversy

Fred Couples, a longtime PGA Tour loyalist, reportedly claimed that Brooks Koepka, one of LIV Golf’s biggest stars, was regretting his decision to leave the Tour and wanted a way back in. Couples has been an outspoken critic of LIV Golf and its players, often dismissing the league as a “money grab” while questioning the loyalty of those who defected.

While Koepka himself has not publicly expressed any desire to return to the PGA Tour, Couples’ comments quickly made waves in the golf community. Mickelson, one of the most prominent players to join LIV Golf, wasted no time in defending his fellow LIV star and taking a direct shot at Couples.

Mickelson Fires Back

In response to Couples’ claims, Mickelson called him “low class” and suggested that the remarks were unfounded and disrespectful. Mickelson has been a vocal supporter of LIV Golf since making the controversial jump in 2022, often engaging in heated exchanges with PGA Tour loyalists.

“Fred has always been a guy that says whatever’s on his mind, but this is just low class,” Mickelson reportedly said. “If Brooks wanted to come back, he’d say it himself. He’s won a major since joining LIV, so I don’t think he’s losing sleep over it.”

Koepka, a five-time major champion, won the 2023 PGA Championship as a LIV Golf player, proving that those who made the move to the new league could still compete at the highest level. His victory was seen as a significant win for LIV Golf, which has been battling for legitimacy against the PGA Tour.

The Growing Divide Between Golf Legends

This is not the first time Mickelson and Couples have clashed over the LIV Golf debate. Couples has repeatedly criticized LIV defectors, calling them out for prioritizing money over legacy. Mickelson, on the other hand, has embraced the financial and competitive opportunities that LIV provides, arguing that the PGA Tour needed to evolve.

As for Koepka, he has remained relatively quiet on the issue, neither confirming nor denying any desire to return to the PGA Tour. However, with the ongoing negotiations between the two leagues and potential pathways for reconciliation, speculation about player movement between tours is likely to continue.

With tensions still running high, Mickelson’s latest comments ensure that the war of words between LIV Golf and PGA Tour loyalists is far from over. Whether Koepka truly wants back in or not, one thing is clear—golf’s divide remains as contentious as ever.