Despite Their Early Rivalry, Phil Mickelson Always Reached Out to Tiger Woods ‘Numerous Times to Help’ When the Latter Was Out Injured

Published 08/14/2022, 8:00 AM EDT

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are longtime rivals today. But this hasn’t been always the case. Their relationship has seen a lot of ups and downs, and the two have also been close friends during certain periods. There was a time when Woods acknowledged Mickelson’s presence whenever he needed a friend.

Tiger Woods appreciated Phil Mickelson for his support

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Both Woods and Mickelson are responsible for flourishing the game of golf. However, their relationship with each other hasn’t been able to grow very well over the years. But Tiger Woods has been honest about Mickelson’s role in his life when the golf ace went through tough times.

Woods once shared, “When I was trying to deal with the nerve [pain] in my back, trying to come back and trying to play and I wasn’t very good, he always texted me some very encouraging words,…he offered numerous times to help.” Woods also mentioned how Mickelson is not an easy player to play against. He said, “He’s one hell of a competitor and it’s always a challenge to try to beat him.”

Even Mickelson opened up about the time when the two became close friends. “Our relationship turned around 2016 when we were working together for the Ryder Cup,” he said. “We spent a lot of time on the phone. When we worked together for a common goal, it brought us closer.”

Tiger Woods Once Made an Honest Confession About His 20-Year Rivalry and Relationship With Phil Mickelson

The two were very close to each other until a few things happened that drifted them apart. One of the most recent incidents responsible for the growing distance between the two was Mickelson joining the LIV Golf league. Today, the two stand against each other in the shelter of their respective leagues, playing the face of their tours.

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Mickelson’s response to Woods’ criticism of LIV Golf

After Woods’ statements about the LIV Golf defectors regarding betraying the PGA Tour, Mickelson, being the face of LIV Golf, was surrounded by questions regarding the matter. Woods, however, didn’t take any names while giving his opinion, but Mickelson replied on his behalf. In an interview, he said “I certainly respect his opinion…I think everybody’s going to have strong emotions and opinions about it, and I certainly respect his.”

Woods and Mickelson have had many twists and turns in their dynamic. But the two are currently standing face to face, defending their tours. It is hard to imagine that the two would ever get along how they used to.

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Written by:

Joydeep Singh is a Golf writer at EssentiallySports. Having completed his Bachelor's degree in Business Management, he possesses a writing experience of more than four years now. Having picked up on following golf for quite some time now, his favorite is the legendary Tiger Woods, whose games he just does not miss.

Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

Despite Their Early Rivalry, Phil Mickelson Always Reached Out to Tiger Woods ‘Numerous Times to Help’ When the Latter Was Out Injured

Tiger Woods appreciated Phil Mickelson for his support

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