One social media post this week best summed up the problems LIV Golf appear to be facing ahead of the 2026 season.

The Majesticks decided that it would be a smart idea to tease an announcement for the following day, perhaps trying to convince their followers that a new signing was set to be unveiled.

However, the blockbuster news apparently worthy of a teaser was that co-captains Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were staying on for 2026. Given that Henrik Stenson had already been relegated, that announcement certainly did not need any sort of build-up.

But LIV Golf seems to be enduring problems right now. Si-woo Kim reportedly rejected LIV after entering into advanced talks. Meanwhile, there has been speculation that Brooks Koepka may not play on LIV next year.

Rory McIlroy believes that LIV faces paying another $6 billion just to stay where they are now.

And there is another issue the league is facing that few are talking about – and it concerns Phil Mickelson.

The Phil Mickelson dilemma LIV Golf will soon face

It is hard to imagine so many PGA Tour players would have jumped ship in 2022 had Mickelson’s flirtations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia not become public.

Signing the six-time major champion was the league’s biggest coup. He had made history by winning the PGA Championship the previous year.

But with Mickelson turning 56 next June, LIV now needs to face the reality that the end is likely to be in sight when it comes to the HyFlyers captain playing in their events.

The left-hander has never finished higher than 24th in the season standings on LIV. However, there have been plenty of reminders of his magic along the way.

Mickelson arguably hit the shot of the season in Virginia this past season, when he launched a flop shot over his shoulder and found the bottom of the cup.

It was also notable that LIV’s best ever viewing figures came on Sunday in Miami. It was reported that 484,000 people tuned in Stateside. And one of the reasons would have surely been the fact that Mickelson was in contention, alongside the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.

Mickelson is one of the greatest characters the game has ever had. He is likely to leave a huge void when his playing days come to an end.

The likes of Rahm and DeChambeau will almost certainly have to take on more responsibility when it comes to being faces for the league. Obviously, DeChambeau has relished being a superstar, but Rahm appears determined to concentrate on his golf.

The HyFlyers could also be in big trouble. Mickelson’s teammates in 2025 were Andy Ogletree, Brendan Steele, and Cameron Tringale. There is no question that the team would need a superstar to replace Mickelson.

Unfortunately, there is little indication that LIV will be capable of signing any more marquee names from the PGA Tour.

Phil Mickelson calling time on his career may also present some exciting opportunities for LIV

Admittedly, there could be some upsides if Mickelson did decide to call time on his playing career.

Like Greg Norman, his presence has surely not helped encourage the PGA Tour to get around the negotiating table and discuss a merger. Mickelson damaged his legacy significantly with how his move to LIV was handled.

Perhaps it would also present LIV with the opportunity to continue their pivot towards signing some of the best young players around.

The likes of David Puig, Josele Ballester, and Caleb Surratt look to have extremely high ceilings.

Perhaps Mickelson’s retirement – whether it comes in 2026 or 2027, or even further down the line – should inspire LIV to break the bank to sign one of the PGA Tour’s best prospects; a player who is already well on their way to becoming a superstar.

Obviously, that is easier said than done.

But how they handle life after Mickelson could have a huge say in determining LIV’s future.

It should be something the league is preparing for already, regardless of some of the impressive performances he produced in 2025.