‘It’s a Lot Safer’: Phil Mickelson Once Turned Down Tiger Woods for ‘Straight Money,’ and Picked NFL Legend Peyton Manning in a Hypothetical Situation

Jason Day and Phil Mickelson might be enemies in past President Cups, but they have developed a mutual friendship during their years on the Tour. The pair were hosted by American sportscaster, Dan Patrick, on his YouTube show a year ago, where the pair answered some interesting questions.

Phil Mickelson and Jason Day answer quirky questions

During the show, host Dan Patrick welcomed the Major Championship winners and asked them a variety of candid questions. Among those was a choice between caddying or playing as a reserve in football, for which the pair of golfers had much to say.

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The query came in as a poll question on the channel. It asked, “Best backup job in sports, would you rather be the caddy for the best golfer in the world for a decade or the backup quarterback for the best quarterback in the world?”

To explain things further, an example was given which related the first part to Steve Williams as Tiger Woods’ long-time caddy. The second part of the question was related to Jim Sorgi’s long period as a backup to NFL great Peyton Manning.

Day took the liberty to answer first. “I’d take the caddy job. You just never know when the guys gonna get injured in football and then you’re on the spot, you’re like I actually got to show my talent now,” the 2015 PGA Championship said.

However, Patrick exclaimed to Day that he was going to be a part of the game if he chose the NFL route, to which he remained speechless.

Mickelson offers a distinct opinion

When the same question was directed to Mickelson, the 6-time Major Championship winner chose to tread the alternate path. “I would think the backup quarterback. If something happened, you’d actually have a chance to play. I’d want to be that,” Mickelson said.

The 2021 PGA Championship winner added another point to back his answer. “Plus backup quarterbacks get paid what starters used to ten to fifteen years ago,” he said.

On the other hand, Day felt the job as a caddy provided assurance when compared to an NFL reserve. “If you’re looking at just straight money, I think it’s a lot safer,” he said.

The last year has seen Mickelson switch to the LIV Golf Series, while Day has stayed loyal to the PGA Tour. Has the change in associations broken a healthy camaraderie? Comment down below.

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