PITTSFORD, N.Y. – During simpler and more-congenial times, these practice rounds were legendary, with Phil Mickelson often leading the way. They were played at regular Tour events and majors as well, and they normally came with hushed wagers and a good amount of trash talking.
But those practice rounds that Keegan Bradley enjoyed went away with LIV Golf last year. Mickelson joined the breakaway league in June after skipping the Masters and PGA Championship and Brendan Steele, a staple of those early-week “games,” joined LIV earlier this year. Both players were promptly suspended by the Tour for violating the circuit’s conflicting-event release policy, leaving only the majors where they could rejoin Bradley for the customary rounds.