With one year remaining on LIV Golf contract, Phil Mickelson talks about possible retirement

Posted by Admin August 10, 2024 Golf

Phil Mickelson is hinting at retiring from a full schedule.

The 54-year-old has seen his game decline since joining LIV Golf – especially the last 16 months – to the point he is rarely competitive on LIV and struggles to make cuts in major championships on the PGA Tour.

But Mickelson, captain of LIV’s HyFlyers GC, is hoping recent “glimpses” could signal a turnaround.

“I see glimpses and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level, but I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels,” Mickelson said on a recent call promoting LIV’s Individual Championship Sept 13-15 outside of Chicago.

“I’m in every major on the regular tour next year and I’ll be in three of the four majors for the next six, seven years. I would love to compete and give myself a chance to win in those, and I also want to build this (LIV Golf) out and create a culture that is sustainable and that people strive to be a part of. How I do that, whether it’s internally as a player or whether it’s strictly from the outside … I’ll be realistic where I’m at.”

Mickelson was the face of the Saudi-backed tour when it launched two years ago, landing a reported four-year, $200 million deal that runs through 2025. He has added about $6.5 million in prize money in three years.

Mickelson played in the four majors this season, missing the cut at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open and finishing 43rd at the Masters and 60th at the British Open. Since tying for runner-up at the 2023 Masters, he has missed the cut in four of seven majors.

More: Bryson DeChambeau had a solid year competing in majors, but how did others from LIV fare?

On the LIV circuit this year, Mickelson has one top 10 finish and has not placed higher than 22nd. Through 11 events he is 44th in LIV’s individual standings out of 56 players. He has just three top 10s in his three years with LIV.

Mickelson points to one area that has caused his decline.

“It’s been my short game that’s just crushed me the last few years,” said Mickelson, who is 48th in scrambling on LIV. “It’s been a staple of my game throughout my career, and the last couple years it’s been the reason why I have not scored and had the results. That’s where I’ve been focusing.

“I finally had a nice little turnaround. If my short game is sharp, I’m going to be in contention. But I’ve been throwing four, five shots away a round because of short game, and that’s been something I’m not used to, and it’s probably why it’s been harder for me to overcome, because it’s different.”

Mickelson added he is happy with his “ball-striking” and “shot-making abilities.”

As negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV stretch into their 15th month since a framework agreement was reached for the tours to merge, Mickelson was asked what kind of schedule he would like to see for LIV if the sides ever strike a deal.

“How that all plays out is really not up to me,” he said. “I’m not part of those conversations. At 54, my schedule and my desires are going to be totally different than most of the players. So bigger picture we have to do what’s best for the players on LIV and the best for the players throughout the game of golf and not just focus on a 54-year-old, so my desires aren’t really relevant, I would say, in that conversation.”

Mickelson saw brief action on PGA Tour Champions

Mickelson briefly played on the PGA Tour Champions where he had a very successful debut, winning his first two events and four of six.

Still, whether he decides to step away or not, Mickelson expects to remain involved in LIV Golf as long as he is able or as long as the league exists.

“My involvement with the HyFlyers is going to be long-term and probably through the rest of my life,” he said. “I’m an equity shareholder and I’ll have the ability to be intricately involved in the growing out of the team throughout the course of the next many decades.

“But as far as my career, I’m realistic with where I’m at. I’m 54 and I’m putting in the work.”

Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and golf reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.