Phil Mickelson drops major retirement statement as doubt cast over LIV Golf playing days
Phil Mickelson is no doubt closer to end of his playing days than the beginning, and the LIV Golf star’s retirement from competing could come sooner rather than later
Phil Mickelson has admitted he is nearing the end of his playing days after the HyFlyers captain opened up on his future ahead of LIV Singapore this week.
Mickelson stands as one of professional golf’s greatest ever players during his career, winning 45 PGA Tour titles and six major championships.
The American split opinion in 2022 though, pledging his support behind the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) before eventually joining LIV Golf. Since making the Saudi switch just under two years ago, Mickelson has failed to find the form that made him an all-time great on the PGA Tour, but has banked almost £5 million in prize money in that time.
Having broken into the top-30 on just on occasion so far this season on the LIV circuit, the World Golf Hall of Famer gave an honest assessment of his future.
“I’m 53 now and my career, you know, if I’m being truthful it’s toward its end,” Mickelson told Bloomberg TV in Singapore. Revealing what may come next, he went on: “Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfilment that the game of golf has provided me.”
When joining Greg Norman and co on the Saudi-backed series in 2022, Mickelson signed a three-year deal. Following the end of the 2024 campaign and heading into 2025, this contract is set to come to an end, and it remains to be seen what sort of extension follows for the three-time Masters champion.
The American will most likely remain with the LIV setup, having founded and captained the HyFlyers franchise over the past two years.
Mickelson’s biographer Alan Shipnuck reported in February that ‘Lefty’s’ next deal could well be a non-playing captain one, keeping him in post as the man in charge of the HyFlyers. Mickelson is yet to get his hands on a LIV title, in both individual and team competition.
His teammate Brendan Steele however finally got his franchise into the winners’ circle last week though, after he was crowned champion at LIV Adelaide. And Mickelson’s influence within the team is still clear to see after Steele hailed the support from his team captain in the aftermath.
“Yeah, I lean on Phil pretty hard with everything,” Steele said. “With how to hit shots around the green, how to approach things. “He’s one of the best players ever, and he can give me advice. If he’s going to give me advice, I’m going to take it. I definitely want to listen to him, and he’s helped me a ton with everything from wedge play, short game, mental game.
“Just instilling confidence in myself, and he’s a big reason I’m sitting up here.” Praising his teammate in Singapore this week, Mickelson commented: “Seeing some success and results for Brendan Steele was really exciting for us because we’ve been with him multiple days every week in the off-season watching him work and grind and work on his game when we have a couple of months off.
“He’s just not having any downtime. He’s getting better and better and better.To see the results pay off and to see him play the way he’sable to play and the way we’ve seen him play, it’s very encouraging for us and exciting for us as a team.”
