Phil Mickelson ready for 'balance' at LIV Golf Series but won't resign from PGA Tour

Phil Mickelson has said playing in the LIV Golf Invitational Series will provide more "balance" to his life and insisted he has no plans to resign from the PGA Tour.

Mickelson, 51, is ending his self-imposed exile from competitive golf when he takes part in the inaugural LIV Series event at Centurion Club in London on Thursday. The American has not played since competing at the Saudi International in February, opting to take a break after comments were made public in which he said he was using the new Saudi Arabia-backed series as leverage against the PGA Tour.

During that hiatus, Mickelson missed the Masters for the first time in 28 years before skipping his PGA Championship title defence last month, having become the oldest male major champion in history with his triumph at Kiawah.

Addressing the media for the first time since announcing his participation in the LIV Series, Mickelson explained why he was drawn to the tour and discussed his time away from golf.

"I've had an awesome time. I've had a four-month break from the game which I've not had in over three decades," the six-time major winner said on Wednesday. "I've had an opportunity to spend time with my wife Amy and travel parts of the world. It's given me time to reflect on what I want to do going forward and what's best for me and the people I care about.

"This is an opportunity that still allows me to have golf in my life but also have a balance where I can be more present and engaged with the people I really care about. That is why, when I think about being a part of LIV Golf, I feel so good about it.

"I love this game of golf," Mickelson added. "I've seen the good it's done and I see the opportunity for LIV Golf to do a lot of good for the game throughout