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Golf legend Phil Mickelson had one of his best rounds of the year on Saturday afternoon at the LiV Golf Invitational Boston at The International. 

Mickelson fired a 1-under for the day, and left some shots on the table, including a pair of six’s to close the round. 

Afterward, he was more than willing to weigh in on the recent changes to the PGA Tour. 

“So things have gotten better for everybody in professional golf and I believe for the fans, too, because they’re seeing golf in a different environment with LIV. They’re seeing on the TOUR, the TOUR is bringing their best players together more often. LIV is moving professional golf throughout the world. LIV is adding a team aspect, which is different. They’re adding a different viewership to watch golf without commercials and shot after shot,” said Mickelson following his round. 

He added, “I think the fans are getting a lot of benefit out of this, and all golfers, all professional golfers are getting a lot of benefit. The guys on the TOUR are playing for a lot more money. It’s great that they magically found a couple hundred million; that’s awesome.” 

Prior to leaving the Tour, Mickelson suggested that the Tour needed to make some of the changes that they have since made. 

Rory McIlroy even admitted in a press conference that Phil was correct in some areas, but he just went about it the wrong way. 

“I felt happy for the guys, that they have a voice and they’re being valued and they’re being heard, and changes are being implemented to show that appreciation, because that hasn’t been the case, and it hasn’t had to be the case because there was no other option and no leverage. Now they’re being heard and things are changing. So things have gotten better for everybody in professional golf and I believe for the fans, too, because they’re seeing golf in a different environment with LIV,” the Hall of Famer added. 

One recent change that LIV has made is that players are now allowed to wear shorts during competition. 

That started on Saturday afternoon in Boston. 

The PGA Tour only allows players to wear shorts during practice rounds. 

“I mean, I think this is a long time coming in the game of golf. I think it just takes a disruptor like LIV to get things done. They’ve been leading in many ways, and I’m very happy that they are leading in this particular area, and I hope for the — I have a lot of friends on TOUR and I hope for their sake the TOUR follows. I think it’s good for golf. I think it’s great for the players. It feels good. It’s more comfortable, especially when we start getting into some hot temperatures, and I just think it’s a great thing,” said Phil. 

There were 19 players in shorts on Saturday, and 29 players still wearing long pants.

Mickelson and his team, the Hyflyers, are just three shots off the lead heading into the final round on Sunday afternoon. 

The Aces, led by Dustin Johnson, are at 22-under par, while the Hyflyers are 19-under.