Phil Mickelson, the 54-year-old golfing icon, will miss the much-anticipated LIV Golf season opener in Saudi Arabia this week due to a minor shoulder injury sustained during a gym workout. This unexpected setback will see Ollie Schniederjans stepping in to fill Mickelson's shoes in the tournament field. Mickelson announced his absence via social media, expressing his disappointment at missing the event but showing optimism for a quick return.
"I'm definitely disappointed that I will miss the season opener, but I look forward to playing in Adelaide." – Phil Mickelson
Ollie Schniederjans, a 31-year-old golfer from Georgia, will join the HyFlyers team as Mickelson's replacement at LIV Golf Riyadh. Schniederjans is not new to high-stakes competition; he narrowly missed securing a full LIV card during the LIV Golf Promotions event late last year. However, he earned the right to participate in 10 events in The International Series in 2025.
Schniederjans has already made his mark by winning The International Series India, finishing four strokes ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, the U.S. Open champion and prominent LIV star. Despite this impressive victory, the HyFlyers team is still on the hunt for their first team victory in the LIV series.
As Schniederjans gears up for the tournament, both Joaquín Niemann and Abraham Ancer remain key figures in the race, currently holding third place in the LIV Golf standings. The event at LIV Golf Riyadh promises to be an exhilarating showcase of talent and competition, with Schniederjans eager to seize this opportunity on the big stage.
Meanwhile, Mickelson has his sights set on returning to action next weekend at LIV Golf Adelaide, taking place at The Grange Golf Club in Australia. His absence from the Saudi Arabia opener is a blow to fans and the event alike, yet it opens the door for Schniederjans to prove his mettle among some of golf's elite.
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