LIV Golf rebel Phil Mickelson sent a thinly-veiled dig at Rory McIlroy which on the face of it appeared to be complimenting the world No.1 on his way to winning the Dubai Desert Classic this weekend.
An inspired third round meant that McIlroy held a three-shot lead overnight going into the final round of the DP World Tour event and Mickelson was quick to congratulate the PGA Tour stalwart.
He tweeted: "What a great -7 3rd round by @McIlroyRory in DUBAI to open up a 3 shot lead. See if he can finish it off. Watch live final round action from the Middle East on the golf channel."
However, the clever tweet appeared to be a dig at McIlroy who has heavily criticised the LIV Golf concept funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Mickelson's tweet seemed to criticise the Northern Irish golfer for competing in the Middle East amid his recent critical views.
Despite LIV Golf members being suspended from PGA Tour events they can play in DP World Tour competitions pending the outcome of a legal challenge. That meant Patrick Reed could compete and the LIV Golf rebel threw a tee at McIlroy before the event began.
It was fittingly Reed who wiped out McIlroy's final round lead with five birdies in 13 holes to set-up a grandstand finish for the players on rival circuits. However, the PGA stalwart hung on with birdies in the final two holes to win by one shot.
Mickelson then tweeted: "He held on! Great birdie birdie finish to win by 1. Exciting battle down the stretch. I hope everyone watched and enjoyed."
Fans were divided by Mickelson's sarcastic tweets with some applauding the six-time Major winner. @mik_jg tweeted: "Top trolling by Phil." While @KevRedCon wondered if fans would notice the British golfer's sarcasm. He added: "That’s naughty Phil, I wonder will many see what you did there."
McIlroy, who joined Ernie Els as a three-time Dubai Desert Classic winner said that the victory was 'sweeter than it should be' after an epic battle with Reed which went down to the final hole.
He added: "Mentally today, it was one of the toughest rounds I have had to play. It would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way but I just had to concentrate on myself and forget who was up there on the leader board. I did that really well. I showed a lot of mental strength.
"I will enjoy this. It is sweeter than it possibly needs to be or should be. I still have stuff to work on but it is a really good foundation to work on."
