Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers of all time. The 15-time major winner has given a new face to the game of golf on a global level. Another golfer who has given the sport a unique identity is Phil Mickelson. Mickelson has won six major championships in his career. But he is always on the news for different reasons.

Woods and Mickelson have been longtime rivals. But there was a time when the two got very close and became good friends. Woods and Mickelson have also been grouped several times on the field. Mickelson has talked about Woods’ smack-talking skills a few times. He once spoke about his banter with Woods after winning against the golf ace.

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Phil Mickelson gets candid about Tiger Woods

Lefty has discussed in earlier interviews how he doesn’t compare to Woods when it comes to sarcasm. He also accepted that Woods had made more records and so he had more to speak about Mickelson. But after beating Tiger Woods at Shadow Creek, Mickelson finally had something to talk back to Woods.

Lefty said, “A day like today is not going to take anything away from Tiger’s greatness, he’s the greatest of all time, but to have some smack talk for the next few years means a lot to me because I don’t have much on him,” The two have always shown immense respect towards each other and have never made any unacceptable statements regarding each other. However, their love-hate relationship has existed for a long time.

Read More: Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson: Who Acts as the Better Role Model for the Younger Generation?

Mickelson has been very supportive of Tiger Woods in times of need. Even Woods has extended support towards the golfer during his hard times. But the two got distant recently after Mickelson joined the new LIV Golf league, betraying the PGA Tour.

Phil Mickelson reacts to Woods’ statement about LIV Golf players

Woods recently made a statement about all the players who had left their PGA Tour careers and joined the new LIV Golf league. Woods said that the players had turned their backs on the PGA Tour. His statement was not pointed at a specific player. But Mickelson being among the first few players to join LIV, decided to answer Woods. “I certainly respect his opinion. … I have a lot of respect for him. I respect his opinion. I think everybody’s going to have strong emotions and opinions about it, and I certainly respect his.”

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are now parts of rival leagues. Mickelson has become the face of the new Saudi-backed league, while Woods is still a patriot for the PGA Tour. Only time will tell if the two will ever get close again.

Watch This Story: When Phil Mickelson Detailed His Trash Talk Struggles With Tiger Woods