A bad omen has hit LIV Golf and it will not be stopping any time soon. At first, the staunch supporter and the man heading the breakaway circuit, Greg Norman, was reported to be replaced from his CEO post. Even after giving three arduous years to the league, Norman came short of proving his worth and will be heading a different senior position. No one knows what it is.

And now, another shocking news has broken LIV Golf, their loyal golfer, Phil Mickelson’s back. Ahmed Al Omran, Saudi Arabia’s Financial Times writer, dropped a bombshell that the Public Investment Fund from Saudi Arabia would cut their international investment from 30% to 18-20%. Instead, they will be investing more domestically. This will directly affect LIV Golf, which is entirely backed by PIF. Undoubtedly, this sheds light on the $200 million contract Lefty signed with LIV.

In 2022, PIF invested nearly $2 billion and all these million-dollar contracts could be signed, thanks to that investment. But as Yasir Al-Rumayyan confirmed that the international investments would be cut down, Mickelson will surely not be offered the same contract. His $200 million contract was reported to run through the 2025 season. It is uncertain that LIV Golf will have a similar investment to offer Lefty, more than his previous contract or even $200 million.

He has opined his support for his team and LIV Golf. But will the 6-time major winner remain with the breakaway circuit even if they cut down on his payment? It remains to be seen. But there are certain, to be particular, three reasons why LIV Golf may not renew Mickelson’s contract, and if they do, it wouldn’t be $200 million.

Why LIV Golf will not offer $200 million to Phil Mickelson again?

“My career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.” This is what Phil Mickelson stated in an interview with Bloomberg. And if you have not gotten the hint, it seems that the 54-year-old will soon retire from the game of golf. Reason no. 1 why: LIV Golf may not choose to invest in Mickelson as they did in 2022. Moreover, Lefty has an equity share in his LIV Golf team HyFlyers GC, so regardless of the contract he supposedly gets after 2025, he would have to be connected to the league.

Now coming to his performance, the last time the golf world witnessed Lefty lifting a trophy was at the 2021 PGA Championship, when he became the oldest major winner. Since then, his performance has declined drastically. Even on LIV Golf, the 54-year-old never won an individual event in the last three years. Now, with younger and better players like Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and others, why would LIV Golf want to retain Mickelson at a point when their investments will be going down?

Certainly, Mickelson was aware of such a future scenario as well. He once said, “If I’m not able to [play better] I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels.” However, he will still have exceptions in three of four majors and would tee up occasionally if he truly doesn’t get his worth from the contract and decides to retire from golf.