Awkwardness between PGA, LIV surfaces at The Masters Champions Dinner

The Masters Champions Dinner is a practice that brings previous champions of Augusta Nationwide collectively for some story telling and good consuming. The host is all the time the prior yr’s winner who additionally will get to construct the menu and pays the tab. The 2022 Masters Champion, Scottie Scheffler, was this yr’s host and plenty of have been wanting ahead to his Texas-themed menu choices.

One factor that wasn’t on the menu, although, was awkwardness.

Because the PGA Tour invited golfers from LIV Golf to take part on this yr’s match at Augusta, many have been ready for one thing uncomfortable to occur between golfers of either side. So far, exterior of these from LIV carrying their staff shirts on the golf course, issues have been fairly calm and welcoming between PGA and LIV. That’s, till the earlier Masters champions all obtained collectively for his or her conventional dinner occasion.

A few of these previous winners included present LIV golfers — one being Phil Mickelson. Based on 1979 winner Fuzzy Zoeller, Mickelson saved to himself all through the dinner and didn’t say a factor.

“We’re simply 33 previous champions in a room, all attempting to get alongside,” Zoeller instructed Golfweek when requested concerning the PGA-LIV relationship. “No one stated a phrase about it. Phil sat close to the top of the desk and saved to himself. He didn’t converse in any respect.”

One other Masters legend was Tommy Aaron who was on the dinner as nicely. He additionally spoke to Golfweek including that he tried wishing Mickelson good luck, however seems he didn’t get a response again.

“I needed him good luck, however I couldn’t imagine how quiet he was. Phil took a really low profile. He didn’t say a phrase.”

One factor is definite, this storyline isn’t going to go away. As soon as match play begins Thursday all bets are off with regards to enjoying good with each other, so to talk. So maybe Mickelson is simply warming up his recreation face for the match.

However hey, no less than he and the others smiled for the digital camera.