GOLF legend Phil Mickelson has credited Tiger Wood with changing his approach to fitness - despite their bitter rivalry. The two US golfers fell out in the late 1990s and didn't play together for almost two decades. Mickelson, 54, and Woods were originally friends in the early part of Tiger's illustrious career.
![[Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in green jackets after The Masters.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tiger-woods-phil-mickelson-pose-733063941.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But the pair fell out off the course, resulting in one of golf's greatest personal rivalries. Woods, a fifteen-time Major champion, was one of the first advocates for fitness regimes in golf. An avid weight lifter, the 49-year-old was the complete opposite to Mickelson's more laid-back approach to his health.
![[Tiger Woods walking on a golf course.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tiger-woods-jupiter-links-golf-973185557.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
That has all changed though in recent years, with Mickelson looking trim after winning a surprise PGA Championship in 2021. Lefty recently spoke to Australian Golf Digest and revealed his health kick was all down to Tiger. Mickelson admitted: "I do wish I had dove in and learned more about nutrition.
![[Phil Mickelson talking with his caddie.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/phil-mickelson-united-states-talks-918192881.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"When I started playing golf though fitness wasn’t even an issue. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS. "It wasn’t until Tiger came along - he was years behind me - that it really got to be accepted and then got to grow.". Mickelson's hard work has helped him play injury-free into his mid-50s.
The American patched up his relationship with Tiger at the 2016 Ryder Cup. He added: "I’ve always had this respect for what he’s done for me and my family. "Because nobody has benefited more. But I think our relationship turned around in 2016 when we worked together for the Ryder Cup.".
"He was an assistant captain, and we ended up spending a lot of time on the phone getting ready. "We talked about players, picks, statistics, alternate shot, course setup and all these things.". Mickelson joined LIV Golf in 2022 and has since become an elder statesman in the Saudi-backed tournament.
