If you needed another reminder of professional golf’s new chapter, on Wednesday Phil Mickelson joined a conference call previewing LIV Golf’s upcoming Illinois event and the first question of the call was about an upcoming YouTube challenge, Pros vs. Schmos, for which Mickelson will serve as host.

“Well, I’m very new to this, and YouTube isn’t really the world I grew up in,” Mickelson said. “I’m kind of learning a lot from Bryson, who’s really spearheaded a phenomenal campaign on YouTube and a great following, and I’m trying to learn as we go.”

“Bryson,” of course, refers to Bryson DeChambeau, whose summer has included winning the U.S. Open and cracking one million YouTube subscribers. Until recently Mickelson would only have considered one of those a target. But times have changed. Golf has changed. Mickelson has, too.

Wednesday’s call was ostensibly about LIV’s upcoming individual championship, which is coming to a municipal course in Bolingbrook — some 30 miles southwest of Chicago — in mid-September. But given Mickelson’s presence and willingness to chat it quickly pivoted to his place in the game and how he sees LIV’s future.

Part of that future, in his mind, is initiatives like Pros vs. Schmos.

“What I see it being is a great opportunity to interact and engage on a more intimate level with the fan base,” Mickelson said. Prospective contestants can submit video entries, two winners will be selected and their showdown with Mickelson will be recorded for content purposes. “I want to see your personality. Can you handle it? Are you going to be sensitive? Are you going to be a little soft? I want to see if we can get the right fit, get the right personalities to make it entertaining and enjoyable.”

Mickelson trumpeted the joys of LIV’s team golf format. “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s different. It’s unique and something I haven’t experienced in over three decades since college with the occasional one week for the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, which was an incredible source of enjoyment, as well,” he said. He also dismissed any concerns about the fracturing of the men’s professional game.

Mickelson trumpeted the joys of LIV’s team golf format. “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s different. It’s unique and something I haven’t experienced in over three decades since college with the occasional one week for the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, which was an incredible source of enjoyment, as well,” he said. He also dismissed any concerns about the fracturing of the men’s professional game.