Golfing Legend Phil Mickelson Challenges Governor Gavin Newsom To A Debate

Golfing legend Phil Mickelson has extended a debate challenge to Democrat Governor of California Gavin Newsom.

Mickelson challenged Newsom in a debate in a post on X when he wrote that he left his number to Newsom’s office in hopes Newsom’s staffers would arrange a debate.

The topic of the debate Mickelson attends to debate Newsom on is President Trump’s energy polices.

MSN reported more on Mickelson’s challenge to Newsom:

LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson has challenged California Governor Gavin Newsom to a debate after the prospective 2028 Democratic presidential candidate criticized President Donald Trump’s new energy policy. Mickelson, 55, hasn’t been shy to express his political opinions publicly, increasing in recent weeks in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at a Utah college campus early last month.

Now, the California native and six-time major winner has put Governor Newsom in sight, challenging the 57-year-old political figure to a debate, leaving his phone number with his office. Newsom criticized the Trump administration after it announced their intention to cut the billions of dollars in funding for hydrogen projects in California and the Pacific Northwest.

In his criticism, Newsom theorized that America’s energy policy would be determined by the highest bidder. “In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common sense be damned.” The X post stated, “We’ll keep chasing an all-of-the above clean energy strategy to power our future and clean our air – no matter what politicians in DC try to dictate.” It comes after Mickelson made his feelings clear on Kirk with an unexpected three-word message.

Newsom’s assertion caught Mickelson’s attention, who appears to be siding with fossil fuel energy companies. “If you would like to have a town hall meeting with me to discuss Sable Offshore, I will meet you anytime and anyplace. Let’s discuss this openly so the public knows the facts,” Mickelson responded.

“I called your office yesterday and left my number with your assistant,” Mickelson added. In a break from political talk, Mickelson, who was one of the leading defectors from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf a few years back, kept a close eye on the Ryder Cup.

Take a look:

I called your office yesterday and left my number with your assistant. 🤞

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) October 2, 2025

In recent weeks following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Mickelson has been more politically vocal.

Yahoo News reported more on Mickelson’s comments on the assassination of Charlie Kirk:

Phil Mickelson is sounding off on the death of Charlie Kirk.

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Kirk, 31, was shot and killed at a speaking event in Utah on Wednesday, September 10. The right-wing influencer and political activist was doing a speaking event at Utah Valley University. He was shot in the neck and rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. President Trump announced the tragic news on Truth Social.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” he announced.

Phil Mickelson, who has shown support for President Trump over the years, didn’t hold back on Kirk’s death.

The longtime PGA Tour and LIV Golf star sounded off on those who are celebrating the murder of the 31-year-old political influencer.

Mickelson responded to a video of a college society leader suggesting that the right is a “cancer” that must be taken care of.

“The assassination of Charlie Kirk is bringing out some of the best in humanity and it’s also exposing some of the worst. The unification, love, support, and outcry on his behalf throughout the world is heartwarming. The number of people supporting Tyler Robinson’s appalling behavior has opened my eyes to a side of extremism with a moral superiority complex that has also shaken my belief in people in general. I hope they are held accountable for their disgusting rhetoric,” he wrote on X.