Phil Mickelson 'weakness' led to Tiger Woods problem as ex-coach dishes dirt on LIV star

There was a time when both Phil Mickelson and ruled the roost in professional golf, with the pair considered the two best players in the world.

Both dominate conversations about who the all-time great is, but few would argue against Woods taking the overall crown.

Only Jack Nicklaus has won more majors than Woods (15), who if it wasn't for a string of unfortunate injuries throughout his career, could've surpassed the Golden Bear's outright tally.

Mickelson was of course no slouch, with the current LIV Golf star winning an impressive six majors of his own.

But, according to Tiger's former coach Hank Haney, Mickelson might've taken home several more major titles, had he just been able to master his driving ability.

Commenting in a book on Mickelson titled 'Phil: The Rip-Roaring Biography of Golf's Most Colourful Superstar', Haney said: "You have to take the whole player as is, the whole package. You can't swap out this piece or that piece, because if you change one thing you change everything.

"If Phil hits his driver straighter he would have been Tiger Woods. But you can't have everything. Phil had one weakness but so many other strengths.

"To make him play another way, that would be like putting reins on a racehorse. You just gotta let them go. That's how he plays golf, and it's helped him enjoy it for a really long time and kept him engaged and kept him going forward."

There are few professional golfers who wouldn't take Mickleson's career achievements in a heartbeat, but there is a question of 'what if' when analysing the San Diego-born star's time at the top table.

Woods himself is said to have thought the same.

Renowned golf writer Alan Shipnuck suggested as much during the documentary 'Tiger', claiming: "Tiger knew that Phil was the most naturally gifted player ever to hold a golf club.

"But Tiger looked at him with disdain. He couldn't fathom having that much ability but not putting in the time to be great."

He added: "Phil had about 20 extra pounds, and Tiger was looking more and more like Mr. Universe."

Remarkably, the two old foes are still active on the golf scene, although head-to-head encounters are a rare commodity, given the pair are both playing on either side of the golfing divide.