Sam Walker’s on! Injured Roosters halfback enjoys once-in-a-lifetime round with golf legend Phil Mickelson ahead of LIV tournament in Adelaide

• Sam Walker played pro-am with golf legend Phil Mickelson
• NRL star impressed three-time Masters winner with his prowess
• Roosters halfback continues to recover from knee surgery

By ANDREW PRENTICE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Roosters star Sam Walker is currently recovering from major knee surgery after rupturing his ACL last September – but the halfback wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to enjoy a round with golf legend Phil Mickelson.

Walker, 22, took part in the pro-am event on Thursday ahead of the LIV tournament in Adelaide this weekend – and impressed the man affectionately known as ‘Lefty’ with his prowess on the greens.

The playmaker also seized his moment, presenting Mickelson with a Roosters jersey featuring the surname of the six-time major winner.

It comes as Mickelson missed LIV’s recent season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia due to a shoulder injury.

Mickelson – a three-time Masters champion – has featured in the previous two editions of LIV Golf Adelaide. 

In 2023, he finished 16th with a score of 12-under and last year he tied for 38th at 7-under.

A wild atmosphere is again predicted in Adelaide this weekend, with renowned Aussie DJ’s Dom Dolla and FISHER also sure to fire up the crowd once play concludes.

Roosters star Sam Walker is currently recovering from major knee surgery after rupturing his ACL last September – but the halfback wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to enjoy a round with golf legend Phil Mickelson (pictured)

Walker, 22, took part in the pro-am event on Thursday ahead of the LIV tournament in Adelaide this weekend – and impressed Mickelson with his prowess on the greens (pictured)

Roosters club legends Jake Friend and Mitch Aubusson joined Sam Walker in Adelaide

 Meanwhile, Walker is continuing his recovery from his ACL injury, a moment he labelled ‘the worst two minutes of pain in my life’ last year.

‘The knee went on me and I felt a ‘pop’,’ Walker told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I saw the footage of nobody around me, and I knew it was the force of me landing on the ground that had caused this feeling like something had exploded inside my knee.

‘The first two minutes was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I was in complete agony. I was calling for the green whistle.’

Walker is targeting a return to footy by the middle of June.

Key off-season recruit Chad Townsend is tipped to wear the number 7 jersey in the Roosters’ season opener versus Brisbane on March 6 at Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters have only missed the finals once in the past decade – but with Joseph Suaalii, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu, Luke Keary, Sitili Tupouniua and Terrell May all departing the club in the off-season, Trent Robinson’s men may well be watching the footy this September.

Punters can collect close to $20 for the Roosters to be premiers in 2025, as Penrith chase a remarkable fifth successive grand final triumph. 

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Sam Walker’s on! Injured Roosters halfback enjoys once-in-a-lifetime round with golf legend Phil Mickelson ahead of LIV tournament in Adelaide

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