There are few more controversial figures in world golf than Phil Mickelson.
Lefty; as he is affectionately known is one of the most successful golfers we have ever seen, racking up 45 PGA Tour wins and 6 majors (including 3 green jackets). Add to that 11 wins on the European Tour and Mickelson is eighth overall for the most wins in golf history.
Mickelson was a prominent early figure in golf’s divide when he was outspoken on the direction of the PGA Tour and the treatment of its members, becoming an early member of LIV Golf. While many believe that Phil has ruined his legacy, there are just as many, if not more, who believe he is one of the bravest men in golf and that he has been vindicated by everything he was so outspoken about.
As we head into this weekend’s third major of the golf season – The US Open at Oakmont in Pennsylvania – we are reminded of one trophy that Lefty still has yet to hold aloft. Much like the chatter that engulfs the galleries at Augusta every year around Rory McIlroy still needing his green jacket to complete the much coveted Career Grand Slam, Phil has another shot in 2025 to do what McIlroy earlier this year and join the likes of, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods as the only golfers in history to complete the milestone.
Phil Mickelson (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Mickelson certainly has had his chances to win this tournament. This week in Oakmont will see Mickelson make his 34th start in a US Open, having finished 2nd or tied 2nd 6 times, a US Open record.
Perhaps his best chance to win was back in 2006, when he held the joint lead heading into the final round. The crowd at Winged Foot in New York would witness one of the wildest finishes in golf. After a bogey on 16 and taking relief after hitting his ball into a bin on 17, Mickelson just needed a par on 18 to take a one-stroke victory.
After a wayward drive, he found himself surrounded by trees. Rather than a safe play, Phil went for the green, only to hit a tree before ending up in a bunker with his next. He walked off 18 with a double bogey and a 6-over second-place finish to Aussie Geoff Ogilvy.
His record in recent years also doesn’t make for happy reading having not made a cut since his T62 finish at Torrey Pines in 2021, an event taken out by fellow LIV Golfer; Jon Rahm.
However, he is having somewhat of a renaissance on LIV this year. Earlier in the year, Mickelson said he needed to find other ways to compete against the big hitters. One thing that has never been in question is his touch around the green and his feel with the putter.
Mickelson currently sits inside the top 10 for putting average with 1.58 putts per hole. And while he is yet to take home a LIV individual trophy, he has a podium finish, 3rd in Hong Kong, and a 4th last week at LIV Golf Virginia. Mickelson is sitting comfortably at 11th on the overall LIV standings, and his current points tally of 55.68 is already better than his best season finish in 2023 of 17 points. He has more points this season than seasons 2023 and 2024 combined.
The course at Oakmont is not for the faint hearted and it may call for every trick in the book to get out of some nasty situations. The wily old fox may have just a few more tricks in his bag than others. The 54-year-old, who incidentally turns 55 this week, will be hoping that his current form may see him take home the ultimate birthday present this weekend.
