When Phil Mickelson first jumped to LIV Golf, he didn’t just join—he recruited. He sold the vision, promised dedication, and positioned himself as a team builder who would be all-in on making the league work. Fast forward to 2025, and golf podcasters are wondering where that commitment went.

The No Laying Up podcast recently called out Mickelson for appearing more focused on his Sable Offshore investment than managing his struggling LIV team, the HyFlyers. The hosts didn’t mince words. They questioned why Mickelson’s social media energy is directed at his business venture rather than fixing his team’s problems heading into next season.

The podcast hosts laid out their main gripe during a recent episode. Mickelson seems to be investing more effort into Sable Offshore than his own golf team. One host put it bluntly: “Shouldn’t he be managing the HyFlyers? If he spent an ounce of the effort that he has seemingly on Sable on his own golf team, I feel like they’d be maybe a little bit better shape next year in the LIV season.”

The comparison they drew was striking. They asked listeners to imagine if a baseball GM was out on social media pressuring politicians and making sketchy investments instead of managing their team. How can LIV be taken seriously as a league when one of its team managers is publicly distracted?

“Can you imagine if like the GM of the Reds was just out on social media just like pressuring politicians and blowing them up and get like making super sketchy investments and uh and that’s all they were talking about on there?”

The numbers back up their concerns. Mickelson shared information from Sable Offshore’s CEO with investor groups through private messages, according to reporting on the controversy. He posted over 100 times about Sable on social media within a 20-month period. Meanwhile, his HyFlyers struggled through a disappointing 2024 season.

The team finished 12th out of 13 teams in the regular season. They landed outside the points in 8 of 13 tournaments. Their only podium finish came when Brendan Steele won in Adelaide. Mickelson himself finished 46th out of 54 players individually. His scoring average of 71.09 kept him above the drop zone, but barely.

Mickelson’s messages about Sable revealed real stress. He wrote to fellow investors, “We need an actual prayer. I’m very defeated right now, and I don’t see a clear path forward.” That kind of emotional investment doesn’t suggest someone playing around with spare change. It suggests a serious distraction from his day job as team captain.

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LIV Golf team managers: What Phil Mickelson should be doing

This raises a bigger question about what team managers in LIV are actually supposed to be doing. The role goes beyond just showing up and playing. Team captains in LIV manage player selection, build team identity, and mentor their rosters. Mickelson himself has talked about being “intricately involved in the HyFlyers for the rest of his life.”

Other team managers show what full engagement looks like. Bryson DeChambeau runs the Crushers with clear focus and business savvy. His team finished first in the 2024 standings. Brooks Koepka emphasizes accountability and daily improvement with Smash GC. These captains actively promote their teams, engage with sponsors, and stay visible in team operations.

“You’re going to have to be committed on every hole, every shot. Nobody can hide.” – Bryson DeChambeau on the 2025 format changes.

The contrast is stark. While DeChambeau and Koepka built championship contenders, Mickelson’s HyFlyers scraped bottom. The team structure demands attention. Starting in 2025, every score counts every round. No more hiding weak performances. That puts even more pressure on captains to field competitive rosters and keep players sharp.

Mickelson promised to build something lasting when he joined LIV in June 2022. He said, “I am ready to come back to play the game I love, but after 32 years, this new path is a fresh start, one that is exciting for me at this stage of my career.” He talked about creating a franchise that would outlast his playing days.

But actions speak louder than words. As LIV heads into another season, Mickelson faces a choice. He can refocus on what he originally promised—building a competitive team—or risk becoming known as the captain who let outside ventures derail his team’s potential. The HyFlyers need their manager to be fully present. The question is whether Mickelson can deliver.