Mickelson plays with Premier Golf League founders

Phil Mickelson spent Wednesday hitting bombs alongside the founders of the Premier Golf League, which will potentially challenge the PGA Tour.

"I had the chance to spend time with and play with the gentlemen in charge of trying to start a new Premier League," he told reporters, including The Scotsman's Martin Dempster. "It was fascinating to talk with them and ask some questions and see what their plans are. Where they started, how they started, why and just got their background, which was very interesting."

The group included Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation, Colin Neville of The Raine Group - which had already been announced as a partner in the Premier Golf League bid - and London financier Andrew Gardiner, a director at Barclays Capital and a former executive at Lehman Brothers.

The rival tour proposes to lure the world's 48-best players with a condensed 18-tournament worldwide schedule from January to September and offer $10 million up for grabs each week, according to Dempster.

Premier League Golf is also being referred to as the Team Golf Concept, as each tournament would also feature a Formula 1-style team event running simultaneously.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said players wouldn't be able to participate in both leagues, and they would have to decide between the two. However, Lefty remains intrigued.

"I asked a lot of questions today and there are some very interesting ideas and it seems very well put together," he said. "I think a huge aspect of it is about the fans. Before I formulate an opinion, I’ll look at whether or not this is a good thing for fans, is this a good thing for sponsors and is it going to be good for television? How does it affect all those involved?"

Mickelson, a five-time major winner, is playing in the Saudi International this week.