“Lefty” has struggled since joining LIV Golf, and even he thinks his career is coming to an end when his contract runs out.
Phil Mickelson is 54, and his time under the limelight, like the sand flowing through the hourglass, is ending.
It’s not unusual for a professional golfer in his 60s to compete, but that’s on the Champions Tour or the European version, the Legends Tour, not a tour full of hungry young talent and middle-aged players not ready to retire.
Since joining LIV Golf in 2022, “Lefty” has been banned from both tours and is instead playing against professional golfers his own age. It’s been a struggle.
But because he is the captain of the HyFlyers and controls the team roster, Mickelson is safe — or maybe not.
“I see glimpses, and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at this level,” Mickelson said last week in a promotional event for LIV Golf Chicago. “But I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m unable to, I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels.”
Phil Mickelson on the 12th hole during the final round of the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Since joining LIV, Mickelson has played in 31 events with no wins and only three top-10s, which is not necessarily a successful campaign.
So, with Mickelson having such a lackluster career on LIV, if you are the other HyFlyers — Andy Ogletree, Brendan Steele or Cameron Tringale — are you wondering what happens in the future of a team with one player who is not holding up his part of the team?
“I also have a unique opportunity because of the fact that physically I’ve been able to withstand injuries and been able to be in better shape to do something at an age that nobody else has done,” Mickelson said. “But I have not played at that level that I need to.”
Mickelson confirmed he is putting in the work, but his game looks much older than his chronological age, and his success, the accurate measure, is woefully short.
What’s next?
For Mickelson, it will likely take him one more year to prove himself, or he will be on the sideline as a cheerleader and supporter of LIV.
Others who are near or over 50, with a success rate like Mickelson’s, also need a look.
When 2025 starts, many of LIV’s players will be under increased pressure, especially the captains. They were signed to be the faces of LIV and the individual teams, but their talents have eroded over time, and after 2025, the contracts for almost all of them will expire.
For now, Mickelson and all the others who have underperformed will continue to do so, but their time is coming and the gravy train will be done.
