Phil Mickelson slams golf legend for ‘low class jerk move’ after Brooks Koepka claim

Phil Mickelson has taken aim at former Masters champion Fred Couples after he suggested Brooks Koepka wanted to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour.

Koepka joined the Saudi-backed circuit back in 2022 for a reported $100 million fee but speculation has swirled in recent months that the five-time major champion is eyeing up a return to his former stomping ground.

And Couples appeared to add credibility to those claims when speaking to US radio station KJR 93.3 FM this week.

‘I talked to Brooks Koepka all the time,’ the 65-year-old said. ‘He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour.’

But those comments seemingly touched a nerve with Mickelson who hit back at Couples with a since-deleted post on social media.

‘If it’s not true he damaged a relationship which he cares about. If it is true he took away Brooks’ control of the timeline and narrative,’ Mickelson said.

‘Either way this is a low class jerk move by Fred.’

Koepka is not the only player whose LIV future has been up for speculation, with Bryson DeChambeau also forced to clarify his future after reports that he too may seek a return to the PGA Tour.

‘I’m very excited about the future of LIV Golf. I’m very excited to be the captain of the Crushers and continue our legacy that we’re starting to create,’ the two-time US Open Champion said ahead of LIV’s event in Hong Kong.

‘That’s my goal, to create this lasting legacy where we impact millions and millions of golfers’ lives around the world. That should tell you everything you [need to] know.’

Earlier in the week, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan refused to entertain gossip surrounding LIV players seeking a way back to their former tour as talks remain ongoing regarding a deal with LIV’s bankrollers, 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 in Orlando on Tuesday.

‘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.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.